Working at FDF

Current job vacancies at the FDF.

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Current job vacancies

Current job vacancies

Sector Technical and Regulatory Executive
Workforce and Skills Policy Manager
Innovation Executive

Sector Technical and Regulatory Executive

Job Type: Full time, permanent Contract
Location: Central London (Bloomsbury)
Salary: Competitive

The Role

The purpose of this role is to support the work of agreed FDF's serviced Associations, assist members on food policy issues and, where relevant, to develop position papers and to gather supporting data. You will provide effective support to colleagues responsible for technical, public affairs and sectoral issues in the Regulation, Science and Sustainability Division as agreed with Line Manager and Divisional Director and to liaise with relevant stakeholders on key issues. As a Sector Technical and Regulatory Executive, you will:

Act as first point of contact for queries from members, the media and the public and, where necessary, refer these to the appropriate body or individual.
Analyse, summarise and disseminate technical documents in a timely and accurate manner on food issues from UK and EU regulators and institutions.
Draft/develop the work plan for the agreed associations in consultation with members, manage the budget and ensure the associations operate within the agreed budget
Provide technical support to the Associations Manager and the agreed serviced Associations, including assistance with the organisation of meetings, record taking and follow-up actions.
Liaise with FDF horizontal committees, government departments, European Associations and other stakeholders and ensure that members of serviced associations are aware of relevant discussions within FDF and take part in the development of policy positions.
Take responsibility for defined, additional ad-hoc projects as required by the Line Manager.
Attend FDF and external meetings as required, and provide written / verbal updates in a timely and accurate manner.
Attend European Associations' meetings to represent the sectors and associations' interests in Europe.
Assist, as required, in the management of incidents

The Team

FDF's Regulation, Science and Sustainability team provide a timely and expert service to members, on technical and regulatory developments of interest to the UK food and drink industry. The team covers a wide range of issues including Allergens, Food Contact Materials, Food Law and Labelling, Residues and Contaminants and support a number of serviced Sector Associations on specific category areas of interest.

Requirements

Responsible self-starter
Strong ability to manage a diverse workload and a wide range of issues
Willingness to learn & take responsibility for projects
Good communication skills, both verbal and written
Very good administrative ability–including accounting competence
Good ability to prioritise work, work under pressure and meet deadlines
IT literate
Good ability to analyse legislative documents

How to Apply

We'd love to hear from you, if you think your experience and skillset are suited to the role. Please send us your CV, covering letter and salary expectations, illustrating why you'd be a great candidate to Recruitment@fdf.org.uk

Have a look at the full job description here.

Closing Date: 24 January 2020, 5:30 PM

To view our recruitment privacy notice, visit: fdf.org.uk/recruitment-privacy-notice

Workforce and Skills Policy Manager

Job Type: Full time, 12 Month Fixed-term Contract
Location: Central London (Bloomsbury)
Salary: Competitive

The role

To support the Head of Industrial Strategy, Employment and Skills in policy development and engagement to deliver FDF's effective contribution to projects relating to Industrial Strategy and the Food and Drink Sector Council's Workforce workstream impacting on the competitive position of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry.

This will involve monitoring policy developments; drafting concise and informative briefings for members; formulating FDF policy on the back of member consultations; lobbying decision-makers; and working with key partners to ensure that the delivery of projects meet the business plan objectives.

Principle Accountabilities

Manage FDF Skills Executive and deploy Administrative resource to enable delivery of work program.
Manage and deliver on skills projects and policy insight/evidence into the Food and Drink Sector Council and its Workforce workstream; deliver the skills recommendations set out in the FDSC Workforce report.
Manage FDF's Industrial Strategy Group and link with Industrial Strategy Policy.
Monitor regulatory and policy developments regarding skills policy for the UK food and drink manufacturing industry and wider supply chain, including apprenticeships and skills provision.
Give clear direction regarding the development economic data analysis to develop the evidence base underpinning FDF policy positions on skills.
Represent FDF members on various national forums (Defra, BEIS, EEF and CBI) to ensure our position is coordinated and / or aligned with UK and EU positions.
Monitor progress on key projects that concern Industrial Strategy and Skills in the UK food and drink manufacturing industry and ensure that members and staff are kept informed by producing concise, informative and insightful briefings and news articles.
Formulate FDF policy in relevant competitiveness areas on the back of effective member consultations. Communicate FDF policy internally and externally. This will include producing position papers; presentations; newsletter articles; media responses; and briefings for members and colleagues including FDF Leadership team, President, Executive Committee, Corporate Affairs Group and Council.
Build and maintain links with key stakeholders and lobby decision-makers on FDF's position in the UK (officials and politicians) in coordination with FDF's Public Affairs team.
Represent FDF members on various national (Defra, BEIS) and forums to ensure our position is coordinated and / or aligned with UK and EU positions.

The Team

FDF's Competitiveness team is responsible for policy and market developments that impact UK food and drink manufacturers' ability to invest, grow and do business. The team covers a range of economic issues including: trade and workforce implications of the UK leaving the European Union; skills and employment; exporting; and working with supply chains.

Requirements

Government affairs professional with graduate degree in UK or EU politics, international relations, economics or other relevant disciplines
Proven professional experience in UK and EU public affairs, policy development and issue management, gained in a corporate, political, trade association, consultancy environment or government department
Excellent knowledge of political processes (UK/EU), a high awareness of the domestic and international political context, and a firm grasp of key public policy issues affecting the food and drink manufacturing industry
Strong analytical, organisational, presentational and written skills (incl. word processing package)
Excellent communicator with proven ability to write influential documents, command authority in committees and political discussions, and communicate effectively to diverse audiences
Ability to learn quickly and think strategically across changing priorities and expanding subject fields
Highly motivated team player with a hands-on attitude, ability to lead and develop creative and evidence-based approaches to policy issues, industry positions and their communication
Proven experience in planning and project management. Ability to multi-task, respond flexibly to needs of business and FDF members, and self-organise work effectively on different projects and issues

How to apply

Closing Date: 24 January 2020, 5:30 PM

Innovation Executive

Job Type: Part Time (3 days per week) Permanent Contract
Location: Central London (Bloomsbury)
Salary: Competitive

The role

The central purpose of the Innovation Executive is to provide a 'one-stop-shop' for members on all aspects of innovation. They will provide information to members on Government, academic or other stakeholder initiatives that members can tap into and benefit from. They will be the focussed resource to facilitate dialogue between organisations such as InnovateUK, KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network), Government departments (e.g. BEIS, Defra) and represent FDF at external events involving such organisations. They will also organise meetings and events for members for the dissemination of information and for input of such information to stakeholders e.g. Government consultations.

First point of contact for members and stakeholders on all innovation topics, to include (but not limited to) robotics, automation, reformulation, packaging, competitiveness, novel ingredients, innovation funding.
Provision of information to members on funding, collaborations, innovation brokering etc.
Support (e.g. letters of support) to grant giving organisation (e.g. UKRI) to enable funding being granted which members will get the opportunity to benefit from.
Interface with academic institutions that can provide R&D facilities/capability to member companies.
Maintain links to other industrial sectors where synergies may be helpful e.g. general manufacturing.
Lead on innovation elements of the Industrial Strategy sector deal (BEIS/Defra) maintaining links with key partners for delivery.

The Team

Requirements

Knowledge of the innovation landscape and innovation challenges facing the food and drink industry
Responsible and practical self-starter with a strong appetite to connect with business needs for innovation and near market adoption of known technology and digitisation.
Strong ability to manage a diverse workload and a wide range of issues
Good ability to sustain a range of working relationships, a natural networker
Willingness to learn & take responsibility for projects – good organisational skills
Good communications skills, both verbal and written
Good ability to prioritise work, work under pressure and meet deadlines
IT literate
Knowledge of the UK innovation funding structure and ideally established network into this
Knowledge of academic institutes and research establishments that can provide services to the food and drink sector
Knowledge of challenges facing the food and drink sector, solutions to which can be enabled through innovation
Basic knowledge of the protection of intellectual property

How to apply

Have a look at the full job description

View our recruitment privacy notice

Closing Date: 24 January 2020, 5:30 PM

More about working for FDF

Our organisation

Our benefits

Our workplace

View our recruitment privacy notice

Our organisation

We're the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) - the voice of the UK food and drink industry: the largest manufacturing sector in the country. We help our members operate in a highly regulated marketplace to maximise their competitiveness and profitability. Our job is to communicate our industry's values and concerns to Government, regulators, consumers and the media. We also work in partnership with key players in the food supply chain to ensure our food is safe, affordable and nutritious.

Our benefits

FDF is a great place to work where we take wellbeing seriously and have a great benefits package to match, offering a pension scheme, life insurance, 25 days holiday, private healthcare, leisure travel insurance, gym subsidy, interest-free season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme.

View our staff benefits »

Our workplace

We're based in the heart of central London in a modern, bright open-plan office. We have a friendly work culture with great break-out spaces, quiet booths and opportunities for flexible-working. Our 'Feel Good for Life' team regularly organises events and activities to promote positive health and wellbeing.

View our recruitment privacy notice »

FDF operates as an equal opportunities employer and we welcome all applications regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion/beliefs, disability and age.

Last reviewed: 17 Jan 2020