Senior Circular Economy Executive

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is looking for a Senior Circular Economy Executive to join our Sustainability and Industry Growth team. 

This role sits within FDF’s Packaging team and will support the delivery of our environmental policy work programme. You will help members understand, influence and respond to circular economy and packaging policy developments, with a particular focus on policies aimed at reducing plastic and other packaging waste and increasing recycling. The role reports to the Head of Packaging Policy and is graded at Senior Executive level. 

You will work on key packaging policy areas including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), Consistent Collections, the Plastic Packaging Tax, Packaging Recycling Notes and relevant international developments such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead specific areas of FDF’s policy work on plastics and packaging, including EPR, DRS and Consistent Collections. 

• Support FDF’s engagement with Government departments, value chain partners, NGOs and other external stakeholders across all aspects of packaging policy. 

• Specifically in relation to packaging EPR engage with members, Government officials, PackUK, UK Packaging PRO and value chain partners to support a practical and cost-effective scheme. 

• Help run the Packaging Committee by preparing papers, capturing actions and progressing agreed workstreams. 

• Carry out research and policy analysis to support evidence-based and influential FDF positions. 

• Provide clear advice and updates to members on packaging policy developments and implementation requirements. 

• Monitor UK, devolved and relevant international policy developments, assessing the impact on the food and drink manufacturing sector. 

• Work collaboratively across FDF teams to ensure circular economy policy positions align with wider sustainability, industry growth and member service priorities. 

• Coordinate policy projects and workstreams, agreeing outputs and timelines with colleagues and keeping stakeholders updated. 

Requirements 

• Degree, relevant professional qualification, or equivalent experience in environmental policy, sustainability, regulatory policy or a related field. 

• Experience in environmental policy and corporate sustainability, particularly in increasing resource efficiency and circular outcomes in relation to packaging and packaging waste. 

• Experience of engaging with multiple stakeholders, including members, businesses, Government, regulators, NGOs or value chain partners. 

• Effective communication skills, with the ability to distil complex technical information and present it in an accessible and engaging way. 

• Good understanding of environmental policy implications for the food and drink industry and the ability to identify policy solutions. 

• Interest in national and international regulatory and public interest issues affecting the UK food and drink industry. 

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Ability to adapt to changing business and Government policy priorities. 

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. 

To apply: Please submit your CV to recruitment@fdf.org.uk by 20 August 2026, 4pm. You're also welcome to include a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and any relevant experience you'd like to highlight. This is optional, but it can be a great way for us to get to know you a little better. NB if you choose to include a letter,  whilst AI can be a useful tool as a starting point in gathering your thoughts, it is important that this reflects you, your voice, your experience and your motivations. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.  

Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments for disabilities or medical conditions. 

Recruitment privacy notice: This is the privacy policy relating to the protection of FDF job applicants' information. The FDF will ensure that data is always processed in accordance with the provisions of relevant data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).