Job Description

Overview:

We are looking for a Public Affairs Manager to assist the business in broadening relationships with key civil servants, politicians and policy makers to raise our profile and reputation as well as influence government policy to ensure positive recommendations for apetito.


apetito aim to be one of the UK's leading companies in ethics and sustainability and have made considerable progress in sustainability over the past few years and have won multiple awards, including the Kings Awards for Enterprise - Sustainable Development in 2024. We have one of the strongest Net Zero commitments of any business in the UK, with targets independently validated by the SBTi. We have also introduced a world-first via our closed-loop packaging recycling system for CPET ready meals trays. We have recycled over 35m of these trays to date and have successfully influenced Government to make changes to packaging legislation to now recognise ours and other closed-loop systems.


Our food and nutrition challenges are not typical to the rest of the food industry, who are generally focused on the obesity challenge. Many of our customers are at risk of malnutrition, posing different policy asks, and we are heavily focused on "eating for health" delivering appropriate nutrition solutions to all.


In recent years we have successfully influenced policy in the following areas:

Hospital Food Review

Ensuring that on-site catering systems are not favoured over pre-prepared meal systems

Packing Legislation

As a direct result of an intensive political lobbying campaign, we persuaded Government to change the EPR legislation to make allowance for closed loop recycling systems

Government Buying Standards - Food and Catering

We have worked closely with Defra Civil Servants and politicians to influence the GBS. We continue to work actively in this space to tackle the rhetoric of the "local" food is best mantra.

Brexit - Not4EU Labelling

We have worked closely with the FDF and politicians to influence the removal of Not4EU labelling from the Windsor Framework agreement following Brexit.


Who we are:

apetito is the UK's leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.
Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK's largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
Responsibilities:

Stakeholder engagement

Lead on engagement with external stakeholders and stakeholder communications according to designated policy/campaigns areas as agreed with Director of Corporate Affairs and Policy Develop and update an external stakeholder plan Build and sustain weight bearing relationships with politicians, special advisors, civil servants and other political stakeholders Build key relationships with Food and Drink Federation and other industry bodies as relevant for support and guidance

The role focuses on:

Civil ServantsDefra - Food Policy and Procurement Dept Health - Food and nutrition standards across our market sectors Dept Energy Security & Net Zero - Climate and Net Zero
MP's - WestminsterMembers of Parliament and House of Lords Relevant Parliamentary Committees

MP's - NationwideThrough our network of 50+ WFF depots across the UK build relationships with MP's from their constituency base with regular visits to influence policy issues

Policy and campaigns

Develop and deliver an annual public affairs strategy to engage with political stakeholders on key policies and issues

Political Intelligence

To keep abreast of political and policy developments affecting the sectors in which we operate, identifying opportunities to promote apetito policy asks through active political and parliamentary monitoring

Key Policy Focus areas

Defra Food Strategy/Local Food/GBS Ultra-Processed Foods NHS 10 Year Health Plan/Obesity Strategy Electrification for Food Manufacturing sector - Industrial Strategy Packaging EPR legislation Eco-labelling Frozen Food temperatures - Move to -15 Coalition

About you:

Essential

Excellent knowledge of UK political processes and the policy climate Demonstrable evidence of effective project/campaign management, with a results-orientated focus Demonstrable track record of working collaboratively within a Team structure and delivering with others Strong communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Degree-level or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline

Desirable

Significant political/public affairs experience

Personal Qualities

High level of intellectual ability High level of integrity Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Strong influencer with excellent all-round communication skills Robust, self-confident, excellent inter-personal skills at all levels Thrives in cultivating strong, cross-functional partnerships to deliver with others Ability to both represent the Company at external events at senior level Ability to think strategically

Company Benefits:
Competitive salary - accredited Living Wage employer 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year Discretionary annual bonus scheme Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4% Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary Subsidised canteen Free parking Free turkey or voucher at Christmas apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

Our Values:

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK's most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.

Learn more about apetito's commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.