Student Placement – Food Business Unit
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
Stoneleigh, Warwickshire with agile working , CV8 2TZ
Job Description
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:
Be at the forefront of shaping the future of UK supply chains. As a Student Placement in our Food Business Unit, you'll provide vital operational support under he guidance of the Food Business Adviser. Engage with top retailers, foodservice, and brand businesses to impact change across sectors such as dairy, livestock, and horticulture.
What you’ll bring:
You’ll currently be pursuing a degree in agriculture, business, or food-related fields. You have strong task completion skills, effective communication both written and verbal, and IT proficiency. Your passion for agriculture and food, along with your proactive problem-solving abilities, will be your greatest assets in this 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 (starting at 25 days a year pro rata + Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days pro rata with length of service), plus 1 annual Christmas company day
- Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave
- Company funded health Cashplan
- 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.
Main purpose of the job
- To provide operational support for any activities undertaken by the Food Business Unit as directed by the Food Business Adviser.
- To aid in the delivery of the NFU’s strategic aim of engaging with the UK’s top retailers, foodservice and large brand businesses on issues affecting UK supply chains.
- This is a role that will operate across all sectors including dairy, livestock, poultry, horticulture, sugar, and combinable crops.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the provision of information and advice to HQ, Regional Staff and NFU members on the activities of the Food Business Unit, including through the development of content for print, online and social media channels.
- To assist the Food Business Unit with research, planning and engagement of the UK’s top ten retailers, foodservice and large brand businesses.
- You will be crucial in communicating with members on key changes and opportunities within the supply chain, through having a strong focus on online and written formats, social media and liaising with national media representatives.
- The Food Business Unit lobbies industry on a range of area’s including public procurement, food labelling, assurance and standards, organics, and the Grocery - Code Adjudicator. The Placement Student will support the team on key projects.
- Support key projects and teams within the department. Projects include additional support for the NFU’s Poultry Team and the NFU’s Net Zero work.
- Whilst shadowing colleagues in the Food Business Unit there will be the opportunity to gain a significant insight into how large retailers and foodservice companies operate and their concerns with UK’s agricultural supply chain.
- As directed, ensure that the NFU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is kept updated.
- This job description will develop to meet the needs of the NFU and any additional duties will be commensurate with the post holder’s grade.
Person Specification
- Essential Skills/Attributes
Knowledge and expertise
- Working towards a degree level with an agricultural, business, or a food discipline.
- To have knowledge of agricultural / horticultural production.
- Proven ability to complete tasks and projects effectively within agreed timescales.
Communication
- Effective communications and interpersonal skills both written & verbal.
- Good grammatical and numerical skills.
Practical Skills
- Efficient use of IT equipment including Word and Excel.
Decision making and problem solving
- Ability to demonstrate organisational and prioritising skills.
- Ability to solve problems and forward plan.
Responsibility
- Must have a detailed approach to recording accurate information.
- Ability to deal with confidential information.
Personality
- Ability to attend events as necessary as part of the Food Business Unit.
- Ability to work extended or additional hours when required.
- Be self-motivated.
- Be passionate about delivering good quality and successful projects about agriculture.
Desirable Skills/Attributes
- Full current driving licence consideration will be given under the Equality Act where applicable).
- Understanding of the food supply chain.
Salary
£20,000
Attendance
Contract Type: 12-month Fixed Term Contract, starting July 2025.
Hours
35 hours per week
How to apply
Join our dynamic team and embark on a meaningful placement journey that will broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the UK's agricultural supply chain. This role offers invaluable experience and contributes to the strategic aims of the NFU. If you're passionate about making a difference in agriculture, this is the opportunity for you.
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.
Apply now: https://www.nfuonline.com/careers/opportunity/871