Better Food Shed Operations Manager Barking, London, England
Job description
Do you thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy problem solving? Do you want to help build a sustainable food system that’s fairer to farmers and kinder to the
planet? The Better Food Shed is looking for someone to join our team and take on the new role of
Operations Manager.
You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Better Food Shed, while contributing to the
future development of the business. It will suit somebody dynamic and energetic, who thrives
while problem solving and is a confident communicator, highly organised and practical with
strong admin skills.
The role
The Operations Manager is an exciting new role and is a great opportunity for someone who wants
to contribute to sustainable food systems and short supply chains for London.
You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Shed, including communicating with
farmers and box schemes; managing orders, packing and deliveries; overseeing a friendly and
committed team.
You’ll also support the Head of the Better Food Shed and contribute to the future development
of the business.
About you
If you enjoy problem solving, working in a team, and are a confident communicator, highly
organised, practical, and have strong administration skills, this role will suit you.
You need to be physically fit, comfortable with early morning starts and hold a full UK
driver’s licence.
This job is open to everyone, regardless of background. We acknowledge that the sustainability
and agricultural sectors are less accessible to people from minority backgrounds and we’re
committed to doing what we can to correct this. We especially want to hear from you if you feel
that opportunities like this are less available to you, or you don’t see yourself represented
very often in the environmental or sustainable food sectors.
We recognise that the successful applicant may not have all the skills and experiences listed
in the person specification. We welcome an application from you if could see yourself in the
role.
About The Better Food Shed
The Shed is a farmer-focused wholesale buying group, launched by Growing Communities in 2019.
We are committed to supporting a nature and climate-friendly food system and we always put
farmers and growers ahead of profit. We aim to improve the local food system by offering a new
type of wholesale; rationalising and reducing the carbon intensity of distribution –
particularly in London.
BFS is focused on giving small, local, organic food producers efficient access to the London
consumer market. Based in Barking, we source produce from over 20 organic farms in the UK,
which we distribute to community-run box schemes and ethical retailers across London.
More recently our work has involved working with council-led initiatives, such as supplying
produce for Barking Council's children's holiday food programmes, as well as working with
groups tackling food injustice.
About Growing Communities
GC is a social enterprise that’s building a fairer, more sustainable food system by supporting
local small-scale organic farmers. We run a successful organic fruit and veg scheme in Hackney
and the Farmers’ Market in Stoke Newington and we grow fruit and veg in Hackney and Dagenham. We set up the Better Food Shed in 2019 and continue to contribute to its management.
To apply
Please see the full job description, person specification and how to apply on our website.
Closing date for applications is 9am Monday 27 February
First Round Interviews will be held on w/c 6 March
Second Round interviews held w/c 13 March
