Supply Chain Development Manager
Soil Association
About our Organisation
The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.
We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.
About the Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join the driven and collaborative Food for Life Scotland team. Food for Life Scotland builds strong partnerships with public sector caterers to empower them to serve more fresh, local and sustainable food on their menus. We are looking for a Supply Chain Development Manager who will play a crucial role in identifying and facilitating supply chain pilots, influencing public procurement contracts and developing supply chains – in collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders and partners – to get more Scottish, minimally processed, organic and/or sustainable foods onto public sector plates and support the achievement of Food for Life Served Here certification across the public sector. Soil Association Scotland works across food and farming programmes which feed on the ground learning and insights into national policy. We are close-knit and come together regularly with potlucks, putting into practice our values of learning and sharing over good food.
About You
You know the system in which you will seek to make positive change. You will have extensive experience and knowledge about supply chains and food systems: experience in public procurement in Scotland; understanding of supply chains for Scottish, minimally processed sustainable and/or organic food; and an appreciation and working knowledge of current policy, financial and operational drivers and constraints of public sector organisations and food and drink businesses. Innovating and starting new initiatives is where you thrive and you are always looking for solutions to the inevitable challenges that come along the way. You are a proactive, adaptive and a creative problem solver with a positive outlook. Through working with colleagues, stakeholders or partners, and with your project management experience and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you know how to influence positive change and initiate and run effective, impactful projects.
Our Benefits
We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:
- 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service
- Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
- Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
- Family friendly policies and flexible working
- Cycle to work scheme
- Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce
Hours
35 hours per week
Fixed Term Until 31st March 2026
Location
Edinburgh with hybrid working (40% office based)
About Soil Association
The Soil Association is a charity working with everyone to transform the way we eat, farm, and care for our natural world.
We build real solutions from the ground up. For the last 75 years, we've worked with citizens,
farmers, policy makers and businesses, supporting them to explore the vital relationship
between the health of soil, plants, animals and people. Because the only way to solve the
issues we face is to understand that they are all connected - and that food, farming and
forestry are a vital part of the solution.
The Soil Association is a charity working with everyone to transform the way we eat, farm, and care for our natural world. We build real solutions from the ground up. For the last 75 years, we've worked with citizens, farmers, policy makers and businesses, supporting them to explore the vital relationship between the health of soil, plants, animals and people. Because the only way to solve the issues we face is to understand that they are all connected - and that food, farming and forestry are a vital part of the solution.
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