Finance Manager

About The Organization

ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit working to catalyze the food system to take evidence-based action to stop wasting food. We do this by cultivating and convening the food community, delivering actionable evidence and insights, and seeding and accelerating food waste solutions. Starting with the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste, ReFED has produced first-of-their-kind tools and resources, providing a full-supply-chain picture of U.S. food waste, cost-effective solutions to reduce it, and methods to track progress. In 2021, ReFED launched the Insights Engine, an online data center serving as the next generation of data, insights, and guidance on U.S. food waste reduction. Reducing food waste will have a significant impact on mitigating climate change, optimizing the use of water, land, and other resources, and providing meals for the over 47 million people in the United States 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.   

Learn more at www.refed.org. 

Job Purpose

The Finance Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the financial integrity and operational efficiency of ReFED. This position manages the day-to-day accounting and financial processes for the organization, as well as our fiscally sponsored project, the Zero Waste Food Coalition. This work includes data maintenance in NetSuite, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, budgeting, contract management, and financial reporting to management, leadership, and the Board of Directors.

Working closely with the Director of Finance & Administration, the Finance Manager ensures accurate, timely, and compliant financial data and reporting. This person will also help strengthen internal systems and processes, enhance collaboration between departments, and support the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal stewardship. This includes collaborating closely with the Development team to align financial records. 

Katy Hart is the hiring manager for this position. Applications must be received by January 2, 2026 to be fully considered.

• Data Entry & Maintenance
• Maintain accurate financial data and transaction records in NetSuite, ensuring proper coding, reconciliation, and documentation.
• Coordinate with the Finance and Development teams to align financial data across systems (NetSuite, Expensify, Airtable, Salesforce).
• Manage bookkeeping functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Oversee the purchase order system, ensuring proper budget alignment and approvals.
• Lead the review and reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis.

• Budget Support 
• Support the annual budgeting process, facilitating input from department leads and ensuring consistency in templates and assumptions.
• Support the development of budget presentations to the Board of Directors and the Board Finance Committee. 
• Maintain ongoing budget-to-actuals tracking and flag significant variances for leadership review.
• Assist in developing rolling forecasts and supporting financial analyses.
• Continuously refine and document budget workflows and communication processes.

• Contract Management
• Manage all vendor contracts, including drafting, reviewing, and ensuring compliance with internal policies.
• Serve as the point of contact for vendor relationships, addressing issues and ensuring service quality.
• Track contract terms, deliverables, and renewal dates to ensure continuity and compliance.
• Support procurement and vendor evaluation processes to ensure fiscal responsibility and equity.

• Grant & Donor Reporting 
• Maintain financial tracking for grants and restricted funding, ensuring accurate allocations and reporting compliance.
• Partner with the Development team to produce grant financial reports for funders.
• Support proposal budgeting and financial planning for new grants.
• Ensure grant-related financial records are organized, accurate, and audit-ready.

• Financial Reporting
• Produce monthly, annual, and ad-hoc financial statements and management reports for ReFED and any fiscally sponsored projects.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance & Administration and the organization’s CPA to complete month-end close activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare specialized financial reporting for the Catalytic Grant Fund (CGF) and other projects funded through restricted revenue or grants.
• Provide analytical insights and dashboards to leadership to inform decision-making.

• Audit & Compliance Support
• Assist the Director of Finance & Administration with annual audit preparation, including responding to auditor requests.
• Maintain detailed and compliant financial records.
• Help document and strengthen internal controls and financial processes.
• Support compliance with GAAP/GAAS standards and nonprofit financial regulations.

• Minimum of 2-4 years of progressive nonprofit finance experience, ideally in organizations with multiple funding streams, restricted grants, and annual audit requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of NetSuite, Salesforce (or similar CRM system), and Excel required; experience with Expensify and Airtable a plus.
• Proven experience managing multi-entity accounting and grant reporting preferred.
• Experience supporting audits, financial reporting, and organizational budgeting processes.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting principles (GAAP/GAAS).
• Ability to synthesize complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining financial dashboards and reports.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented team player who builds trust, confidence, and influence  across departments and with diverse individuals.
• Strong communication skills—especially being able to explain financial concepts to non-finance staff.
• Commitment to ReFED’s mission and values, including equity, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
• Comfort working in a remote and cross-functional environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for team or industry events (e.g., team retreats, conferences).

• Ensure the financial health and sustainability of ReFED and any fiscally sponsored projects by maintaining accurate, timely, and transparent accounting records.
• Strengthen operational systems and processes that enable teams to make data-informed decisions and steward funds responsibly.
• Support the integration and alignment of ReFED’s financial systems (NetSuite, Salesforce, Expensify, Airtable) to streamline data flow and improve visibility.
• Support the growth of ReFED’s organizational capacity to serve as a fiscal sponsor, including advancing the Zero Food Waste Coalition toward independent 501(c)3 status. 
• Manage grant and donor financial reporting that demonstrates impact, transparency, and accountability to funders and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the efficient management of the Catalytic Grant Fund (CGF) by ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and insight into program spending.
• Partner with colleagues across departments to translate financial information into actionable insights that guide programmatic and strategic decisions.

• Partner with the Director of Finance & Administration and ReFED’s CPA on process improvement projects and systems upgrades.
• Lead vendor onboarding and relationship management, ensuring strong communication and equitable contracting practices.
• Participate in organization-wide planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycles.
• Collaborate with Development and Program teams to ensure grant budgets and expenditures align with deliverables.
• Support the annual audit and contribute to the development of stronger internal controls and documentation.
• Help strengthen cross-functional collaboration between Finance, Development, and other departments.
• Contribute ideas to make financial processes more accessible, user-friendly, and transparent across the organization.

• Are detail-oriented, organized, and motivated by accuracy and efficiency.
• Enjoy improving systems and workflows to make financial information more useful to others.
• Can move comfortably between transactional tasks (like journal entries or reconciliations) and strategic thinking (like improving reports or planning processes).
• Have strong accounting experience and want to apply it in a mission-driven nonprofit setting.
• Are an excellent communicator who can translate financial data into plain language for non-financial colleagues.
• Take initiative to identify challenges and propose practical, collaborative solutions.
• Are comfortable using and learning new financial systems and tools.

• Are motivated by ReFED’s mission to end food waste, and understand the connection between strong financial systems and organizational impact.
• Value collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity — and see finance as a service function that supports others’ success.
• Are energized by the idea of joining a small, agile team that works across programs, operations, and strategy.
• Appreciate a culture that balances accountability with flexibility and mutual trust.
• Are comfortable working remotely and managing your time effectively while staying connected with a distributed team.
• Take pride in doing work that contributes to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

• A specific degree or credential—though accounting or finance education is helpful, we value experience and demonstrated skill over formal qualifications.
• Prior experience in food systems, sustainability, or waste reduction—curiosity and a willingness to learn are just as important.
• Nonprofit experience—we welcome candidates from the private sector, consulting, or other mission-driven organizations.
• That you meet every qualification listed. If this role excites you and you see yourself thriving at ReFED, we encourage you to apply — even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every bullet point.

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+ working remotely from various 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, and Insperity. 

Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 3-4 annual in-person gatherings. These events include our annual team retreat, department retreats and the 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, ask-me-anything sessions with our Board and Advisory Council members, and peer recognition on our shoutouts channel in Slack. We have a “Big Dill” spot bonus program and engage in conversation through our watercooler channel in Slack. Our in-person events are essential for team building, learning, and fun.

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.