Chief Adviser Food System Relationships

Job Title : 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 NFU’s relationships with food supply chain stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how British farming connects with retail, public, and hospitality sectors. You’ll be the internal authority and gatekeeper for NFU’s 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, you’ll support the reputation and development of British sourcing and embed principles of fairness and assurance across the sector. You’ll also lead a dynamic team, empowering them to deliver impactful work while managing budgets and stakeholder relationships. What you’ll bring : You’ll 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 networks—across brands, government bodies, and industry groups—will be key to driving NFU’s influence and convening power. With strong leadership skills, you’ll inspire and guide your team, fostering collaboration and innovation. You’ll be confident in public speaking, media engagement, and representing NFU at high-profile events. Above all, you’ll 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 you’ll 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 life’s 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. It’s 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 you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build your knowledge – it’s up to you to take them. Join us We’re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly-talented workforce. We’ll 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.