Industrial Issues Executive – Packaging & Innovation – British Plastics Federation in London

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

• 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 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

• 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
• Good eye for detail
• 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
• Flexible working
• 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