Chief Operating Officer

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the UK food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the country. We represent and support our members, which range from global brands to small and medium-sized enterprises, in navigating the complex regulatory landscape and driving sustainable growth. Our mission is to ensure that the UK food and drink industry remains competitive, innovative, and resilient. We achieve this through robust policy advocacy, strategic initiatives, and by fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and excellence.

Overview of the role of Chief Operating Officer:

In this newly created role as Chief Operating Officer, you will hold overall strategic responsibility for ensuring that FDF has clear and ambitious plans for future income and member growth. You will lead our efforts to recruit and retain members, diversify commercial income, and ensure our digital platforms are modern and well-utilized. Your remit will encompass financial, IT, HR, facilities, membership, digital, and commercial matters, ensuring the cohesive delivery of corporate functions.

As the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Membership Growth: Drive membership growth and retention across the sector, from SMEs to large companies, ensuring we meet their diverse needs.
• Commercial Success: Develop and implement marketing initiatives to drive commercial income and oversee flagship events that align with our strategic objectives.
• Digital Innovation: Maximise the functionality of our digital platforms, engaging staff and members to build FDF’s impact.
• Corporate Services: Provide strategic oversight of finance, HR, facilities, and IT to ensure operational excellence.
• Leadership: Contribute to corporate strategic planning and professional development initiatives as a key member of the leadership team.

To qualify for the role of Chief Operating Officer, you must have demonstrable experience of:

• Leading and managing diverse teams and delivering outstanding results particularly in the context of commercial growth and operational management within an organisation.
• Using your background in digital communications and stakeholder management to deliver meaningful results which are aligned to the strategic objectives, mission and values of an organisation.
• Innovating and driving change / commercial evolution through your strategic mindset, commercial acumen and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver complex programmes.
• Experience in the food and drink sector or membership organisations is considered highly advantageous.

To apply for the role of Chief Operating Officer with Food & Drink Federation (FDF):

For more information on the opportunity of Chief Operating Officer of Food and Drink Federation please click the Apply for this Role button so that you can be diverted to the relevant page of the website of our selected search partner, Berwick Partners.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Tom Ewen from our selected search partner, Berwick Partners. You can contact Tom on thomas.ewen@berwickpartners.co.uk.

To apply please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a covering statement which highlights your motivations towards this opportunity and capabilities in a position of this kind.

The close date for your application is set for 23:45 on Sunday 1st June 2025.