Procurement & Food Safety Coordinator

Procurement & Food Safety Coordinator

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The Conservation League started its Food and Agriculture program in 2007 with the goal of protecting South Carolina’s small, family farms. Between 1992 and 1997, more than 400 acres of rural land were converted every day to urban uses, placing South Carolina in the top ten states in the nation for rural land loss. We quickly realized that small farmers lacked access to the infrastructure available to industrial farms, and were therefore unable to say “no” when a developer offered to buy their land.

The Conservation League saw a food hub as critical to our work protecting rural landscapes and improving quality of life across the coastal plain.

The objective of Grow Food Carolina is to tap into the existing assets of small‑scale agriculture to help create a stronger rural economy, spurring job creation, and building capacity in rural communities by connecting farm businesses to the thriving local food movement. The resurgence of small‑scale agriculture presents a tremendous opportunity to positively impact the rural economy. Increased agricultural production leads to increased economic activity, and allows farmers to stay on their land for generations to come.

Under the direction of the Farm Outreach Manager, the Procurement & Food Safety Coordinator supports Grow Food Carolina’s mission to strengthen South Carolina’s local food system by managing farmer relationships, coordinating produce procurement, and maintaining food safety compliance. This position serves as both a produce buyer and the food safety officer for the warehouse, ensuring all operations meet state and federal requirements while supporting small and mid‑sized farmers to access wholesale markets.

• Collaborate with procurement team to send grower orders, create purchase orders, and assist with inventory management in our software system.
• Coordinate with partner growers to ensure consistent, high‑quality supply of local produce for sales and distribution.
• Support the operations team in managing quality control systems, documenting product feedback, and ensuring clear communication with the sales team and growers to maintain consistent product quality and transparency.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with farmers through phone calls, farm visits, and in‑person meetings.
• Cultivate new farm partners and identify opportunities to diversify product supply.
• Collaborate with the sales and operations teams to align procurement with seasonal demand, market trends, and annual crop planning goals.
• Provide guidance to growers on production planning, quality standards, and wholesale readiness.

• Manage Grow Food Carolina’s Food Safety and Organic Program to ensure ongoing compliance with state, federal, and GAP Harmonized+ certification standards.
• Train warehouse staff on food safety and organic certification requirements.
• Oversee recordkeeping, audits, and documentation required for food safety and organic certifications.
• Coordinate with the Operations team to monitor sanitation logs, traceability systems, and handling procedures.

• Represents Grow Food Carolina at meetings, events, and partner engagements related to local agriculture and food systems.
• Partner with community organizations to deliver workshops and resources that help small farmers enter wholesale markets.
• Support Grow Food’s mission of increasing market access for local producers and strengthening South Carolina’s local food economy.

• Assist with data tracking, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

• Acts as the point of contact for farmers regarding product availability, pricing, and purchase orders.
• Has authority to approve and maintain food safety records, process corrective actions, and staff training documentation.
• Recommends process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency and compliance performance.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with…