Marissa Balestamon's Story

Mar. 24, 2026

Marissa Balestamon

Supply Manager

Lesson Learned: Purpose Goes Beyond Procurement

That’s how I’d describe my journey at Sodexo. I joined in 2019 as a Purchasing Supervisor in Facilities Management (FM), and within a year, I was promoted to Sourcing Manager. I became part of the mobilization team for nearly every FM site we launched, and in 2023, I embraced a new challenge by moving into the Food category.

I’ve juggled bosses, vendors, and loved what I do. I never imagined dealing with suppliers could teach me so much about people and myself.

Flexibility has become my superpower. At Sodexo, no two days are alike. Navigating a rotating lineup of bosses while keeping the department moving taught me patience and grit, while managing complex vendor relationships sharpened my problem-solving skills. Beyond operations, I monitor KPIs, support the company’s CSR initiatives, bridge Finance and vendors to resolve payment concerns, and prepare reports that guide regional strategies. I also lead cost-saving projects that create tangible impact for the company and our clients.

But what makes my journey truly meaningful is the chance to give back. Sodexo encourages us to step outside our daily roles through volunteering efforts such as tree planting, urban farming, and wellness activities. I’ll never forget that morning when our team gathered to plant trees in a local community. As I pressed the soil around a sapling, I realized that this simple act wasn’t just about greenery, it was about hope. That tree would grow long after our workday ended, a living reminder that our efforts ripple outward into the lives of others.

Those moments whether tending an urban farm or joining wellness activities remind me that procurement isn’t just about contracts and negotiations. It’s about contributing to something larger than ourselves. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that true impact comes not only from the spreadsheets and strategies inside the office, but also from the purpose we find when we give back to the world around us.