The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the UK food and drink industry - the largest manufacturing sector in the country. We help our members operate in an appropriately regulated marketplace to maximise their competitiveness. We 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 chain to ensure our food is safe, affordable and nutritious and that consumers can have trust in it.
FDF Benefits
FDF offers an excellent employee benefits package to its employees – a pension scheme, life insurance, 25 days annual leave, childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work scheme, eye-care vouchers, weekly fruit drop. After successful completion of a 6-months’ probationary period, employees will be entitled to an interest-free season ticket loan, gym subsidy and private health insurance.
Job Purpose
To support FDF’s effective contribution to policy development, impacting on the UK food and drink manufacturing industry’s competitive position. To provide secretariat support to FDF’s Competitiveness Steering Group (CSG) and employment, skills and occupational health and safety working groups that support this.
This will involve monitoring policy developments; drafting concise and informative briefings for members; and supporting the development of FDF policy positions on the back of member consultations.
Principle Accountabilities
- Monitor relevant policy developments (e.g. industrial strategy and productivity; labour mobility and migration policy; employment legislation; apprenticeships and skills; and occupational health and safety) and delivery of the Competitiveness Business Plan. Ensure that members and staff are kept informed by producing concise and informative briefings, including drawing key issues to the attention of the Policy Manager (Growth & Competitiveness) in a timely fashion;
- Develop FDF policy positions through effective member consultations, preparing drafts for the Policy Manager in a timely manner. Communicate FDF policy internally and externally through position papers, briefings, attending CSG and working groups and drafting responses to media queries;
- Provide secretariat support for FDF’s internal and external meetings, assisting with the organisation, record taking and follow up actions and helping to maintain and grow group membership as necessary for Competitiveness Steering Group, Employment and Skills Forum and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee;
- Build and maintain links with BEIS, Defra, DfE, DWP Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, CBI, EEF, National Skills Academy for food and drink and other relevant stakeholders;
- Support internal and external communication of the work of the team by acting as Grid Champion, drafting articles for Update and other FDF newsletters and maintaining relevant webpages to ensure information is up-to-date;
- Work with the Team Administrator to ensure that the database is maintained appropriately and to undertake any other admin task associated with the support to the Policy Manager and effective interfacing with members.
Working Relationships
To work with the Competitiveness Director, Competitiveness Team Policy Managers, other FDF colleagues, FDF member companies, and a range of external contacts in Government and representative organisations.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Graduate or similar qualifications/ or previous experience in a similar area;
- Ideally knowledge of employment and skills policy;
- Keen interest in competitiveness policy issues;
- Political awareness;
- Responsible self-starter;
- Good communicator and team player;
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills;
- Willingness to learn;
- Good command of written and spoken English;
- Experience of Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Main Challenges
To meet members’ demands and expectations with regards to policy developments impacting on the competitive position of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry and forging good relations with key stakeholders whom we wish to influence.