Industrial Issues Executive – Packaging & Innovation – British Plastics Federation

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the leading Industrial Trade Association for the UK Plastics Industry and a thought leader in the global industry. It represents more than 600 member firms and more than 75% of the industry's turnover. BPF uniquely unites member firms from across the entire plastics supply chain, including raw material producers and suppliers, manufacturers of semi‑finished and finished products, machinery suppliers, recyclers, and industry service providers. The Federation serves as the strong voice for the UK plastics industry, fostering co‑operation between competitors, customer industries, government representatives and international organisations. Its mission is to develop a sustainable plastics industry of major benefit to the environment, society and economy.

The Industrial Issues Executive, for Packaging & Innovation is a full‑time hybrid position based in central London. The BPF is a friendly, contemporary organisation. The role is at the heart of the BPF’s Public Affairs activity. The Executive will have considerable contact with the following BPF Business Groups to ensure a high level of membership engagement: Packaging, Expanded Polystyrene and Universities.

Key tasks will be:

• Help develop BPF policy on Packaging & Innovation
• Assist the BPF's Packaging Director and Senior Advisor for Packaging, Expanded Polystyrene & Innovation in their work
• Help produce content for government consultations
• Attend political events relating to plastics
• Develop strong engagement with member organisations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key contacts across member organisations
• Act as a key point of contact for Group members, ensuring effective communication and support
• Facilitate the sharing of relevant information between the BPF and member companies
• Conduct regular member site visits to strengthen engagement across member organisations and develop industry insight
• Attend industry conferences and exhibitions to engage with member organisations and represent the BPF
• Manage and maintain accurate member records
• Support the day‑to‑day administration of the member Groups, ensuring smooth and efficient operations
• Maintain and update content for the BPF website, ensuring information is current and relevant
• Conduct research projects to support member needs, policy development and organisational priorities
• Monitor media activity using BPF's monitoring tool to highlight issues that need a BPF response
• Work with BPF Marketing Team to develop and deliver campaigns promoting the value and benefits of plastics
• Assist in communicating key policy, industry and organisational updates to members
• Support onboarding new members and ensuring their successful integration into the BPF
• Undertake training course, member site visits and seek information to develop your own knowledge of the industry
• Encourage members to participate in BPF events that will help their development

Other Activity

Other duties as reasonably required, as it is anticipated that the organisation and the role will evolve and change.

Skills required

Experience

• Whilst knowledge of plastics packaging, environmental and public affairs is desirable it is not essential
• Capable of presenting both technical and business issues
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail
• At least two years’ experience
• Education to degree level is desirable but not essential

Personality traits

• Excellent interpersonal skills with good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Ability to handle business-sensitive and complex information
• Well organised and disciplined
• Comfortable working with people at all organisational levels
• Resourceful and flexible
• Approachable

Salary / Benefits

• Starting salary will be in the range of £35k - £40k, depending on level of experience
• Bonus scheme worth up to 6% salary
• Generous contributory pension to maximum of 10% employer contribution
• Death in Service benefits (4 x salary plus 5% dependent’s pension)
• 22 days holiday plus bonus days between Christmas and New Year at which time the BPF offices are closed
• Season ticket loan
• Friendly working environment with staff social events