Chief Food Chain Adviser

NFUonline; Stoneleigh; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday + BH

Private health insurance

Company pension

Job summary

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is the UK’s largest farming organisation, seeking an experienced leader to strengthen links between British farmers, growers and the food supply chain. You will guide a team engaging retailers, foodservice providers, public sector bodies and industry stakeholders to promote sustainable sourcing and fair supply chains.

This role focuses on policy development, advocacy and collaboration to help British agriculture meet sustainability challenges while building

Qualifications

• We require experience building trusted relationships and representing organisations at senior levels.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.
• Experience in policy development and advocacy across the supply chain is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to work with retailers, foodservice providers, public sector organisations and industry stakeholders.
• Shape policies that benefit farming businesses and support sustainable sourcing.
• Drive collaboration and advocacy to strengthen relationships across the supply chain.

Skills

UK food supply chains knowledge

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Communication skills

Project management

Job description

Salary: c. £65,000 (Dependant on Skills and Experience)

Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire with agile working

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

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:

You will play a leading role in strengthening relationships between British farmers, growers and the food supply chain. You'll lead your team to work with retailers, foodservice providers, public sector organisations and industry stakeholders to support sustainable sourcing, champion fairness in the supply chain and help shape policies that benefit farming businesses. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, you'll help ensure British agriculture is well positioned to meet sustainability challenges while creating resilient, profitable and mutually beneficial supply chain partnerships.

What you’ll bring:

We're looking for an experienced and influential professional with strong knowledge of UK food supply chains, sustainability and policy development. You'll have a track record of building trusted relationships, representing organisations at a senior level and delivering positive outcomes through collaboration and advocacy. With excellent communication and leadership skills, you'll be confident explaining complex issues to a wide range of audiences, managing projects and developing people. An understanding of farming, the wider political landscape and supply chain dynamics will help you succeed in this high-profile role.

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 to help with everyday costs; dental, optical, physiotherapy etc.
• Private Health insurance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
• Performance-related pay
• Competitive Pension and Life assurance (4 x Salary)
• 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 43,000 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 and Trade & Business Strategy

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.

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.

Associated files

RP_Chief_Adviser_Food_Chain__Oct_2026.pdf

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