ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In the European Union, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England, Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.
We’re about much more than trade and agricultural policy now. People will know our Government Affairs team for the work they do in these two important areas – both in London and Brussels. But so much is changing and our focus is now much broader. From decarbonisation to packaging via. deforestation and much more. The areas of policy you will be working on are wide. And the fun bit is translating that back to our colleagues and supporting them to make the changes necessary.
Based in our Covent Garden office, you will be working as part of our small Corporate Affairs team. No day is the same. One day might be leading a tour of our refinery with politicians. Another might be working with our sales and packaging teams to get our labelling right for Northern Ireland. And another might be advising our decarbonisation team on progress in hydrogen legislation.
We will be looking for somebody well able to organise their own workload and act with initiative. And somebody that can put complex messages over in simple and effective terms to the outside world. And, although this is a maternity cover contract, we’re not looking for somebody to just hold the fort. You’ll be challenged to move the debate forward in your time with us and make your own mark.
DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Implementation of government activities to improve the business’ access to competitive and sustainable raw cane sugar;
- Managing relationships with MPs, Ministers and officials in key government and shadow departments;
- Beyond trade and agricultural policies, assisting other business areas with other key policy challenges and opportunities, such as industrial decarbonisation and packaging reforms;
- Organising tours of the Thames Refinery for political stakeholders;
- The role will require good representation to external stakeholders such as government officials, local and industry stakeholders. It will also include regular representation at the Food & Drink Federation;
- The role will also include the need to manage several external consultants that work on our behalf.
ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)
- Good working knowledge of the UK political system and previous experience in a UK public affairs and/or regulatory role;
- The capacity to develop a sound understanding of cane refining and its international supply chain;
- Strong budget management skills;
- Ability to prepare high quality internal and external briefing material, and messaging under time pressure;
- Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with external stakeholders;
- Flexibility to work on different issues and with different people at the same time. Self-driven and action orientated.