Programme Manager, Sustainable Food

Location: Office base in East Barnet and Chingford, Waltham Forest. Pan London travel as required

Contract: Fixed,

Salary: £35,000 to £40,000

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Groundwork London is a social and environmental regeneration charity, working with partners to build sustainable communities where individuals and enterprises prosper. This position is an exciting opportunity to play a lead role in developing and managing our sustainable food programme.

For over two decades, Groundwork has delivered a range of projects in food sustainability, including community growing, gardening and cooking, healthy eating, and building community infrastructure. Since November 2020, Groundwork London has to lead the operational management and delivery of the Barnet Food Distribution Hub, in Partnership with Young Barnet Foundation. From August 2020, Groundwork London will lead the operational management and delivery of the Waltham Forest Food Distribution Hub. Both Food Distribution Hubs aim to maximise surplus food donations from strategic, business, and local sources and distribute this to Food Banks and wider food distribution organisations, such as community cafés, hostels, and shelters.

Groundwork is seeking a strong Programme Manager, knowledgeable in sustainable food policy, food security, and best practice. They will lead the strategic development and innovation of the Barnet Food Hub and Waltham Forest Food Distribution Hub, including overseeing the operations, financial management, and programme reporting. The post holder will work closely with the Food Hub Project Managers and wider teams to maximise surplus food supplies in each Hub, distribution of quality food to foodbanks and other food distribution organisations, and development of sustainable waste and transport practices. This post will be responsible for food storage, handling, and transportation procedures, ensuring food hygiene and environmental health best practice standards.

The post holder will build and manage Borough stakeholder and partner relationships with Voluntary, Community and Faith stakeholders, council departments, Public Health, and key Groundwork partners. They will build on existing food bank networks in Barnet and Waltham Forest and lead Groundwork’s contribution to Borough Food Action Plans and their implementation.

This post will lead the Food Hub operation teams and line manage Food Hub Project managers.

Please contact us if you have: 

  • Expertise in sustainable food policy, food security, and best practice, with the ability to innovate and develop new and existing projects at the community level
  • Experience in the development, mobilization, and management of food insecurity projects or services at scale, including surplus food chain
  • Food Hygiene / Environmental Health regulation expertise affecting food storage and distribution
  • Excellent networking and liaison skills, including developing and maintaining a range of high-level partnerships
  • Strong team management and leadership qualities

Groundwork London works with communities across the capital to transform their lives and the places they live. We have been at the forefront of social and environmental regeneration in London for over 25 years, and today we have a simple mission: to create better places, improve people’s prospects, and promote greener living and working. We are passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny, and no one is held back by their background or circumstances.

Apply now!

Please click below to download Groundwork London Careers Prospectus, Application Form, and Job Description & Person Specification.

Job Specification & Person Specification

Application Form

Groundwork London Career Prospectus

Please send your application form, quoting reference ‘1020/PMSF to londonjobs@groundwork.org.uk

For further information and to discuss the role please contact Sarah Whitby at sarah.whitby@groundwork.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 9 am, Wednesday 7th September 2022

Interview date: Ist interview, Monday 12th September, online

                               IInd interview, Tuesday 20th September, face to face at the Barnet of Waltham Forest Food Hub

Appointment to this role is subject to a basic records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

Groundwork London is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of the community.