View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Officer - Food & Drink (British Consulate-General 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)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Main purpose of job:

Be part of the UK Department for Business and Trade’s mission to drive more trade and investment between Canada 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, the second highest investment destination in the world, and 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 a passion and drive to help us promote exports to North America of British goods and services, two-way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade (see www.gov.uk/DBT).

Based at the British Consulate-General in Toronto, the Trade Officer – Food & Drink will be responsible for trade promotion support in key sub-sectors: Whisky, Wine, Gin, Beer, No/Low Alcohol Beverages, Cheese, Red Meat. The job holder will strengthen commercial and government relationships with stakeholders in Canada and the UK 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 exporters are kept informed of and contribute to trade policy conversations.

The primary objective of this role is to drive food and drink exports to Canada and build the UK’s food and drink reputation in Canada. You will be a key part of delivering export and trade objectives for food and drink and supporting trade policy and market access teams in post. 


Roles and responsibilities: 

  • Support UK food & drink businesses in key subsectors with exporting to Canada through direct engagement, education, and business development; identification of market opportunities and barriers; and advising on navigating the regulatory landscape.
  • Work with the Agriculture Attaché and Head of Food & Drink, Canada to provide input on market access barrier resolutions and lobbying plans for provincial barriers.
  • Build strong relationships with relevant potential Canadian business partners (importers, distributors, retailers etc) and with UK food and drink companies in key subsectors to identify new export opportunities and inform both trade policy and trade promotion work.
  • Conduct research on best routes to market and potential Canadian business partners for UK food and drink exporters looking to enter the Canadian market.
  • Identify opportunities to showcase UK food and drink and support the growth of exports.
  • Assist with the conception, planning and delivery of trade show activity, tastings, receptions, official visits, and other events to promote the UK’s strengths in food and drink.
  • Support the Head of Food & Drink with the development and execution of trade missions to Canada and buyer trips to the UK.
  • Provide support for Ministerial and senior official visits.
  • Report any market access barriers identified by industry and networks and support the team’s contribution to market access barrier (MAB) resolution.
  • Consult local industry on impact of new/proposed regulations and policies and their potential for these to result in additional barriers to entry.
  • Work with marketing and other teams to maximise social media opportunities to increase awareness of UK food and drink brands in Canada.
  • Manage administrative functions such as database entries and updating notes in customer relationship management systems.
  • Attend key business events, occasionally outside of regular working hours.
  • Undertake travel in both North America and the UK.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
  • 1-3 years relevant work experience in business development, export promotion, sales, or importing – food & drink sector preferred.
  • Familiarity with both Canada and UK business environments.
  • Knowledge of the food and/or beverage alcohol industry in Canada and major players.
  • The ability and credibility to network and deal with companies/organizations at a senior level in-person and over the phone/email.
  • A proven track record of excellent stakeholder management and fostering business relationships.
  • Proven skills in time management and prioritization, including the ability to work in a fast-paced team under tight deadlines.
  • Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to detail and proof-reading skills.
  • Strong project management and organisational skills.
  • Computer literacy in standard Microsoft applications.
  • Ability to undertake travel within North America and the UK and to attend early morning and evening events occasionally. 
  • Legal status to live and work in Canada in your own right, from time of application.
  • Interest and familiarity with both the Canadian and the UK business environments is highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken French. 
Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture
1 July 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
37.5
12 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Toronto
British Consulate General
1
CAD
$5,955.05 monthly ($71,460.64 annual)
monthly
2 September 2024
1 September 2025

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

The British High Commission and its Canada Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The British High Commission and its Canada Network encourage consideration of flexible working practices. The British Consulate-General expects its personnel to work in the office 60% of time to encourage teamwork, innovation, and shared sense of purpose. 

This role will require the successful candidate to undertake business-related travel up-to 10% of their time.

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.

The FCDO and DBT operate an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.      

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.