Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager

PROFEL is the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries*.

As part of the Brussels team, PROFEL is recruiting a Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager.

The Policy & Regulatory Affairs Manager will be coordinating one of PROFEL’s product groups, providing leadership and day-to-day management to that group.

The Manager completes a small dynamic team of five.

They support the team across a wide range of tasks and interacts with member organisations and company experts. Main assignments:

• Coordinate the activities of the processed tomato product group, supporting its members in addressing regulatory, technical, and market issues and developing common industry positions.
• Monitor policy and regulatory developments on issues related to regulatory affairs and food legislation in the different areas of interest to the fruit and vegetable processing sectors, and in particular dossiers related to sustainability, energy, Emission Trading System (ETS), climate resilience, international trade.
• Implement the sector’s strategy to remain competitive and assist in the transition towards more sustainable production, while positioning the sector as a credible and influential voice.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders of the sector and relevant administrators in the EU Institutions, especially the European Commission and European Parliament
• Represent PROFEL in its engagement with EU institutions and stakeholder platforms on key policy areas relevant to the sector, including trade, sustainability and agricultural policy
• Meeting preparation, management and follow up.
• Provide support with the day-to-day running of the associations’ secretariat and regular services to members such as handling members’ queries, document distribution via the members’ extranet and maintaining an updated Key Issue Tracker.
• Participate in the share of administrative tasks: updating address lists, uploading documents, event organisation.
• Support the Secretary General and the team in achieving the goals of the association.

Profile:

• 4+ years of relevant work experience in the agri-food sector and specialising in one or more of the following: sustainability, energy, international trade, Emission Trading System (ETS), climate resilience, agricultural policy.
• Experience in EU affairs or a European trade association is a definite plus.
• Education at Bachelor or Master level, ideally in agricultural sciences, sustainability, agronomy, environmental science, or similar with strong interest in EU regulatory affairs
• Excellent written and spoken command of English. Knowledge of another EU language is a plus.
• Service-oriented attitude towards members
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Strong organisational skills, thorough and with attention to detail, and the ability to work independently
• Computer literacy (MS office, web-based tools, Artificial Intelligence)
• Right to work in Belgium

Diversity and inclusion

We are looking for the best talent, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, colour, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital or parental status, or any other parts of one’s identity.

Offer

• Multifaceted role covering various aspects of food legislation, European policy making and trade association management
• An international work environment
• A full-time position based in Brussels, with a permanent contract under Belgian law
• Predominantly physical presence in the office with the option of regular teleworking, and occasional work from abroad
• A supportive and collaborative team where colleagues genuinely enjoy working together. We value mutual respect, trust, and solidarity, and we believe that great results come from helping each other succeed.
• First-hand exposure to a dynamic and forward-looking agri-food sector with an important role to play in the future. You will work closely with an industry that is making significant investments in sustainability and innovation, while contributing to the growth of plant-based products.
• A salary package according to experience and fringe benefits

*PROFEL is the European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries, representing around 400 companies in 12 European countries that produce canned and frozen vegetables, dried vegetables, canned deciduous fruit, jams and fruit preserves and frozen fruit. The purpose of the European association is to align industry on the needs of the sector and its positions, to represent the sector at EU level and promote an understanding of the industry towards all stakeholders, and to prepare the sector and its members for changes.