View Vacancy - Head of Food & Drink - Toronto

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
DIT

Main purpose of job:

Be part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter. 

We employ over 150 people across North America, all united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world.  We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open up markets; improve international trading standards and fight unfair trading practices (see www.gov.uk/DIT).  

Based at the British Consulate-General in Toronto, the primary objective of this role is to drive food and drink export growth and build the UKs food and drink reputation in Canada contributing to the Government’s plan for growth and levelling up agenda. You will be a key part of delivering joint DBT and DEFRA export and trade objectives for food and drink, and support the trade policy and market access teams in post. You will be responsible for trade promotion in priority subsectors, strengthening commercial and government relationships in order to: identify market opportunities and demand trends; enhance the UK reputation for safe and high-quality products; increase the UK’s market access and ensure key UK food and drink exporters are kept informed of and contribute to trade policy conversations. 

Roles and responsibilities :

  • Support UK food and drink businesses in key subsectors (meat, dairy, beverages) to export to Canada through direct engagement, education and business development; identification of market opportunities and barriers; and advising on navigating the regulatory landscape.
  • Position UK agri-food companies to be ready to take advantage of new/ future market opportunities presented by the removal of Canadian (Federal and Provincial) market access barriers, TCA, CPTPP accession and the FTA.
  • Build positive relationships with potential Canadian business partners (importers, distributors, retailers etc) for UK food and drink companies to inform both trade policy and promotion work.
  • Manage and oversee strategic accounts, particularly government buyers, to identify new food and drink export opportunities.
  • Identify opportunities in market to showcase UK food and drink and support growth of exports, including through FCDO gastro-diplomacy pilot.
  • Work with the marketing and GREAT teams to increase awareness of UK food and drink brands and deliver sector focussed campaigns. 
  • Working with Agriculture Attaché, support and contribute to the development of market access barrier resolution plans and input into trade policy lobbying strategies.
  • Identifying market access barriers from industry and networks, and identifying areas of support to contribute to MAB’s resolutions; maximising the trade potential which will result in export wins from these resolved MAB opportunities.  eg: relabelling issues of product stopped at customs that only government has the authority to resolve; impact of TRQ’s being filled and subsequent impact on UK exports; ensuring access is maintained eg MEAT Guide to educate UK industry on specific entry requirements.
  • Horizon scan for changes to regulations or policies on the importation of food and drink and consult industry on potential for these to result in additional barriers to entry.
  • Work closely with Liquor Boards to maintain and grow UK access to the government controlled beverage alcohol market in Canada.
  • Provide input on Food and Drink sector for DBT North America integrated sector and business planning process, including liaising with other DBT sector and regional leads.
  • Develop and execute UK trade missions to Canada, buyer trips to the UK and provide support for Ministerial and senior official visits.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Line management of one Food and Drink Trade Officer.

 

  • Demonstrated professional experience in a business development, economic development or trade promotion role, idealy in a related sector.
  • Thorough knowledge of the food and drinks industry, major companies and trends in Canada - and prefereably in the UK.
  • Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
  • Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
  • Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling.
  • Proficiency in standard MS Office applications.
  • Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in Canada and internationally up to 20% of your allocated work hours.
  • Knowledge and experience working within the Canadian or UK Food and Drink sector.
  • Post-secondary education in business, economic development, marketing, international trade, international relations or a related discipline.
  • B2B sales and and/or marketing experience.
  • Understanding of the Food & Drink import process and relevant regulations in Canada.
  • French language an asset.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
5 April 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Toronto
British Consulate General
1
CAD
84,346.64
5 June 2023
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Candidate must be willing to undertake occasional travel in North America and to the UK.

Candidate must be be willing to represent DBT and the British Consulate at external functions (during working hours and very occasionally evenings).

Learning and development opportunities:

The British High Commission and its Canada Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

Working patterns:

This role is 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. The consulate does not have a long working hours culture. The UK in Canada Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

The British High Commission and its Canada Network of Consulates embraces hybrid working.  Flexible working options available upon approval of line manager. The British Consulate’s current policy asks staff to work in the office 40-60% of time, with the remainder available to work from home. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.