About The Organization
ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit that partners with food businesses, funders, solution providers, policymakers, and more to solve food waste. We serve as the definitive source for data and insights on food waste, providing the most comprehensive analysis of the problem, the solutions to address it, and the resources required to make it happen. From the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste, to the 2021 launch of the ReFED Insights Engine, our online data center, to this year’s release of the AI-powered Insights Explorer, we have produced first-of-their-kind tools and services tailored to help key audiences scale their impact. Reducing food waste will have a significant impact on the economy, climate change and natural resource optimization, and our communities, including the 47 million people in the U.S. who currently face food insecurity. We are continuing to grow our team to further build our capacity to achieve our vision of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that makes the best use of the food we grow.
We are a team of doers, and we get a lot accomplished. We create outsized impact, and everyone on the team contributes to accomplishing our shared goals. Learning and professional development are heavily embedded in ReFED’s culture. We promote cross-functional work to embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to ensure we are an inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
The Vice President, Business Initiatives, serves as ReFED’s senior leader for business-facing work and a formal member of the Leadership Team. This role is responsible for the strategic direction, performance, and external credibility of ReFED’s Business Initiatives team, which engages food businesses directly through consulting, advisory services, and multi-stakeholder commitment programs, including the U.S. Food Waste Pact. While ReFED's work has been primarily U.S.-focused, the organization is beginning to expand its reach globally, with continued growth expected in the years ahead.
The VP, Business Initiatives, partners closely with the Executive Director and other programmatic leaders to ensure that ReFED’s business-facing work is strategically sound, well-resourced, and clearly connected to the organization’s theory of change. This role holds accountability for team performance, funder and business partner relationships, and external representation of ReFED’s business engagement work. The VP, Business Initiatives, reports directly to the Executive Director and manages two Directors and an Analyst with potential for team growth.
As a member of ReFED’s Leadership Team, the VP, Business Initiatives, advances ReFED’s mission by mobilizing food businesses, from farm to fork, to take meaningful, measurable action on food waste. Food businesses are among the most critical partners in the fight against food loss and waste, and ReFED’s programs in consumer-facing businesses have contributed to significant reductions in food waste.
Sara Burnett is the hiring manager for this position. Applications must be received by July 28, 2026, to be fully considered.
$185,000 - $195,000 a year
ReFED offers a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and policies and programs that encourage a healthy work-life balance. The salary for this position will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members can thrive and grow professionally, while maintaining their personal priorities and values.
ReFED’s U.S. benefits package includes:
100% employee and 50% dependent premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits;
Participation in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans with up to 4% employer matching;
Professional development opportunities, including an annual budget and the option to participate in ReFED's mentor program;
18 paid vacation days annually;
10 paid sick days annually;
Early closure in July and August for Summer Fridays;
Paid family leave;
Approximately 13 paid company holidays annually, including closed offices during the last week of the year;
Short- and long-term disability coverage and term life insurance;
A flexible work environment with the option to work from home or a co-working space.
ReFED values a diverse range of skills and experiences and encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they don't meet all of the criteria listed. Our organization recognizes that everyone brings unique perspectives and strengths to the team, and we are committed to considering all applicants fairly and thoroughly. If you are passionate about our mission and excited about the role, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!
Our Recruitment Process
Our recruitment process includes the following steps:
* Initial screening interview over video call.
* 2-3 interviews over video call with different members of the team.
* Skills assessment over video call which may or may not include an assignment to complete beforehand and present during the skills assessment meeting. All necessary information and guidance will be provided in advance.
* References, usually three, will be requested, and reference checks will be conducted.
We strive to maintain clear and frequent communication throughout the recruitment process, however, due to capacity limitations we may not be able to respond to every initial application. Our process always includes input from multiple team members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives from across the organization.
Our Operating Environment
ReFED is a distributed organization with a team of 35+ team members working remotely from locations across the United States. We use a range of digital collaboration and connectivity tools to facilitate our work, including Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Airtable, Salesforce, Miro, MS Office, Adobe, Claude AI, and Insperity.
Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 3-4 annual in-person gatherings designed for team building, learning, and fun. These events include our annual team retreat, department retreats, and the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit, a national convening of the food waste movement that we host annually. We also foster team connections through informal virtual get-togethers, and peer recognition on our “shoutouts” channel in Slack. We have a “Big Dill” spot bonus program and engage in conversation through our Slack “watercooler” channel.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment
ReFED is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute and grow. We recognize that our success is rooted in the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, and we strive to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, training, and promoting individuals regardless of their gender identity, sex, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We acknowledge that systemic barriers limit opportunities for certain groups, and we are dedicated to actively working to remove those barriers and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all aspects of our organization. Our commitment to JEDI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, listening, and improving our practices to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
