Chief Adviser Food System Relationships
Salary: c. £65,000 (Dependant on Skills and Experience)
Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire with agile working
Working Hours: 35 hours per week with flexibility
Contract Type: Permanent
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is the biggest farming organisation in the UK. We're proud to make a difference for all our members, by shaping attitudes towards British farming and leading the charge on a range of major issues, from climate change and food standards to rural crime and broadband rollout.
Purpose of the role & how you will contribute:
As the strategic lead for NFUs relationships with food supply chain stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how British farming connects with retail, public, and hospitality sectors. Youll be the internal authority and gatekeeper for NFUs key relationships, ensuring alignment between our advocacy work and the evolving needs of the food industry.
Your work will catalyse meaningful collaboration between farmers, growers, and food businesses, helping to build resilient, mutually beneficial supply chains. By diagnosing challenges and developing evidence-based policy solutions, youll support the reputation and development of British sourcing and embed principles of fairness and assurance across the sector. Youll also lead a dynamic team, empowering them to deliver impactful work while managing budgets and stakeholder relationships.
What youll bring:
Youll bring a deep understanding of the UK food supply chain, with experience in stakeholder engagement, policy development, and strategic relationship management. Your ability to navigate complex networksacross brands, government bodies, and industry groupswill be key to driving NFUs influence and convening power.
With strong leadership skills, youll inspire and guide your team, fostering collaboration and innovation. Youll be confident in public speaking, media engagement, and representing NFU at high-profile events. Above all, youll be passionate about supporting British farmers and growers, and committed to advancing sustainable, fair, and future-facing supply chain practices.
Why choose us?
Join us and youll find an organisation that encourages and enables you to achieve your full potential. In return you will be rewarded with a full range of benefits including:
Generous holiday allowance (30 days a year + Bank Holidays), plus 1 annual company day
Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave
Company funded health Cashplan
Health insurance
Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
Performance-related pay
Competitive Pension and Life assurance
Access to interest-free loans for cars, bikes, season tickets and driving lessons
Employee Assistance program to help you deal with lifes challenges
Discounts on a range of new vehicles, holiday rentals, wellbeing and lifestyle and many more
Attractive, modern office, with on-site restaurant and free parking
Who we are
Every day, we're the voice of around 44,000 British farmers and growers who produce food, making sure their concerns are heard at the heart of government both online and locally. This means developing strong relationships with everyone from NFU colleagues to government ministers. So, as well as having a high profile in both the media and Westminster, we work with and support local members through a network of regional and county offices across England and Wales.
Policy
This team takes an active role in developing and influencing the policies that benefit farming businesses across the UK. This means keeping up to date with and responding to national and international developments, engaging with and advising NFU members, and putting their decisions into action.
Its exciting, complex work, covering every area of farming and dealing with a range of stakeholders, from government ministers, civil servants and the media, to local NFU branches. The sheer variety of our work means you can be involved in a wide range of projects from initial research to policy delivery. Our collaborative approach means youll find plenty of opportunities to build your knowledge its up to you to take them.
Join us
Were committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce. Well support you by providing you with extensive learning and development opportunities and build a career that balances your professional ambitions with your personal commitments including discussions around agile and flexible work options.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If we decide we've found the right person for the role, we reserve the right to withdraw this advert and close applications before the closing date.
You may also have experience in the following: Head of Food Supply Chain, Head of Industry Relations, Supply Chain Policy Manager, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Head of Partnerships Food & Agriculture, Food Industry Liaison Manager, Sustainability and Supply, Chain Lead, Agrifood Policy Lead, Head of Food Strategy, Public Affairs Manager Food & Farming, Corporate Affairs Manager Agribusiness, Head of Retail and Foodservice Relations, Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Food Systems Policy Advisor, Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Director
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