Manager, National Food Recovery Programs

Engaged HR; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Banks Canada is seeking a Manager, National Food Recovery Programs to lead national initiatives increasing access to nutritious food across Canada. You will collaborate with retailers, industry partners, and the food bank network to plan, execute, and continuously improve programs with a focus on partnerships and measurable impact.

The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on program management, requiring excellent communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate

Qualifications

• 4+ years in program management/food procurement/relationship work with measurable results.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in related field.
• Strong knowledge of Canada’s retail sector.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Bilingual English/French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Foster strategic relationships with program partners, including retailers, and lead engagement and training sessions.
• Plan and execute national food recovery programs, including the Retail Food Program.
• Develop and manage program communications, marketing and training to maximize knowledge and participation.
• Analyze program performance, identify risks and opportunities, and improve efficiencies.
• Provide training to food banks to strengthen relationships with matched partners and increase food recovery.
• Lead stewardship and recognition planning and ensure timely execution of activities.
• Identify opportunities for incremental food recovery initiatives across Canada and develop strategies.

Skills

Program management

Relationship building

Food procurement

Sales/ fundraising

Presentation skills

Negotiation

Multi-project coordination

Data-informed decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About Food Banks Canada

At Food Banks Canada, our commitment stretches across the nation, tirelessly supporting and enhancing the work of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations. We invest in, advocate for, and bolster their critical efforts. Through diligent research, we delve into the root causes of food insecurity, devising actionable solutions informed by our findings as we work to create a Canada where no one goes hungry.

In 2024, Waterstone Human Capital recognized our workplace for embodying one of Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures of the year. This distinction highlights best-in-class Canadian organizations with cultures that have helped them enhance performance. For us, performance means advancing our mission and achieving organizational goals collaboratively with a team that is happy, healthy and engaged.

Our efforts and impact are expanding, and we're opening doors for passionate, teamwork-driven professionals in search of a career that's both meaningful and captivating. Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for all our roles at Food Banks Canada as we support Canadians across the country.

About the Role

The Manager, National Food Recovery Programs plays a key role in advancing Food Bank Canada’s mission by leading national initiatives that increase access to high-quality, nutritious food for communities across Canada. Working collaboratively with industry partners, retailers, and the food bank network, this role oversees the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of national food recovery programs, with a strong emphasis on building strategic partnerships and maximizing program impact. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of Canada’s food retail sector and is skilled at navigating complex relationships while communicating and presenting confidently to stakeholders at every level of an organization. Combining strategic thinking with hands‑on program management, this role drives program growth through data‑informed decision making, effective communication, and collaborative problem solving. Success in this position requires a relationship‑focused professional who is comfortable balancing multiple priorities, managing program performance and reporting, and fostering meaningful partnerships that strengthen participation, remove barriers, and ultimately increase the amount of food recovered and shared nationwide.

What You Will Be Doing

• Foster strategic relationships with program partners (including retailers), leading partnership meetings, identifying opportunities for collaboration and resources, and conducting partner engagement and training sessions

• Manage the planning and execution of Food Banks Canada’s national food recovery programs, including the Retail Food Program

• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop and manage program communication, marketing and training to maximize program knowledge, engagement, and participation

• Provide ongoing analysis to proactively identify program risk and opportunities, and create greater efficiencies and deepen overall engagement of the network and program partners

• Provide training and mentorship to food banks to strengthen relationships and increase engagement with their matched program partners; increasing the amount of food received

• Lead program stewardship and recognition planning, ensuring activities are communicated and executed in a timely manner

• Identify opportunities for incremental food recovery initiatives across Canada, developing effective strategies and programs needed to increase access to incremental nutritious food for the network

What You Will Need

• Minimum 4 years’ program management, food procurement, relationship building and/or, fundraising/sales experience, with a track record of successful results and the proven ability to build and maintain donor/industry relationships

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related field

• Strong knowledge of Canada’s retail sector

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with retail partners, as well as internal stakeholders and team members

• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills

• Ability to effectively coordinate multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities

• Strong general computer skills with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook)

• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work. This position is remote and may be based anywhere in Canada. Occasional travel within Canada will be required

• Must have access to reliable transportation for travel and a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

This posting will remain open until the role has been filled.

We look forward to hearing from and connecting with you!

Food Banks Canada believes that diversity is the cornerstone of excellence within our team and mirrors the community we serve. We warmly invite candidates of all genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. Committed to an accessible recruitment journey, Food Banks Canada ensures a barrier‑free experience. Should you be approached for a job opportunity, please reach out to [e-mail] if you require accommodations.

We thank all those who apply but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Our recruitment process relies on human review. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, select, or assess candidates.