At a Glance
- Tasks: Support food supply systems and advocate for sustainable food policies.
- Company: Join Sustain, a leader in promoting better food and farming practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension matching, and generous leave entitlements.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence national food standards.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public sector food procurement and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in food policy, advocacy, or project management is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 46380 - 56686 £ per year.
Organisation: Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming
Gross Annual Salary: £41,192 FTE (£32,953 pro-rata gross salary for 0.8 FTE). In addition, Sustain matches pension contributions up to 5% of gross salary.
Hours: 0.8 FTE (28 hours / 4 days per week)
Location: The role is office-based in Cambridge Heath, London.
Position type: Fixed-term, part-time contract for 12 months (approx. start date October 2026, end date October 2027).
Annual Leave: 16 days’ Basic Annual Leave + FTE allowance of public holidays (8 days) + office closure between Christmas and New Year (3 days) will also be pro-rated accordingly.
Equal opportunities: Sustain is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive employer, including recruiting for diversity.
Right to Work: Entitlement to work in the UK. Sustain is not able to assist with applications for work permits and cannot employ people living or working outside of the UK.
Other details: Non-contractual benefits include Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle to Work scheme.
Sustain works to improve food supply systems by increasing the production, purchasing and consumption of healthy and sustainably produced food, through improvements in policy and practice. The Food Supply Project Officer will support delivery of Sustain’s work on food supply (Sustain Strategy Goal 3), strengthening agroecological supply chains and improving public sector food systems through policy and practice, including some focused work on public sector food procurement.
The role will work with councils, local food partnerships, food supply chain actors and other stakeholders to support policy advocacy, practical delivery, research, engagement and communications. The role also contributes to national and local activity that advances Sustain’s strategic objectives on food procurement and supply, including supporting policy, practice and partnership development to increase the policy support, procurement, supply and uptake of fruit, vegetables and pulses.
A key focus is supporting work to influence the public sector procurement policies and buying decisions of local and national government. This includes working with London councils and the Greater London Authority, and/or others in the Sustainable Food Places network who show promising potential for relevant work and policy commitments, in order to demonstrate that ambitious public sector food standards are feasible and replicable, and using that evidence and wider experience to drive national policy reform.
First stage interviews will take place (via Zoom) on: Tuesday 15 September 2026 TBC. Second stage interviews to take place in-person (London office) on: Tuesday 22 September 2026.
Sustain advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.
Food Supply Project Officer in London employer: Sustain
Sustain is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment in the heart of Cambridge Heath, London. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and unique benefits such as a Cycle to Work scheme and an Employee Assistance Programme. Join us in making a meaningful impact on food supply systems while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the sustainable food sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Supply Project Officer in London
✨Get Involved with Local Food Networks
Dive into local food science events, workshops, or meetups in your area. Places like farmers' markets or food innovation labs are great for connecting with professionals in the field and learning about part-time opportunities. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a gem like Sustain!
✨Leverage University Resources
If you’re currently studying, tap into your university’s career services for part-time roles specifically in food science. They often have connections with local businesses looking for interns or part-timers, and they can point you towards seasonal hiring periods when companies like Sustain are on the lookout for fresh talent!
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Consider creating a blog or a social media account dedicated to food science and technology. Share your experiments, recipes or insights—this not only showcases your passion but serves as your portfolio when applying for part-time gigs. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
✨Think Outside the Box
Look for part-time roles beyond the usual suspects. Food tech start-ups, food safety organisations, or even NGOs focused on nutrition might offer flexible positions that fit your schedule. And don’t forget to regularly check the careers page of Sustain directly for any part-time openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Food Supply Project Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills in Your CV:When applying for a part-time role in food science and technology, make sure to highlight relevant skills like lab techniques, food safety knowledge, and any experience with quality control methods. It’s handy to include any specific coursework or projects that relate directly to this field. The more relevant skills you showcase, the better your chances of standing out!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Passion:In your cover letter, share why you are passionate about food science and how this part-time role at Sustain fits into your career goals. We love to see enthusiasm, so mention any relevant experiences, like internships, workshops, or even personal projects, that have sparked your interest in this area. Let them know that you’re eager to learn and grow!
Quick References to Your Projects or Experiences:If you’ve worked on any specific projects, whether in university or during internships, give them a shout-out! Include links or a brief description in your CV or cover letter. This could be anything from research papers you've co-authored to experiments you've conducted. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience in food science!
Don’t Forget Certifications!:If you’ve got any certifications relevant to food science, like HACCP or food safety training, make sure to pop those on your CV. These not only bolster your application but also show that you’re serious about the industry. If you don’t have any yet, consider starting one soon—it may even make your application more competitive for part-time gigs like the one at Sustain.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sustain
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Make sure you're ready to talk about your practical lab experience. You might be asked about specific techniques or tools you've used in food science, like chromatography or sensory evaluation. We want to see that you’ve got hands-on skills, so bring examples or even a portfolio if you've worked on interesting projects!
✨Think on Your Feet with Scenarios
In the food science field, you might get hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Be prepared for questions like how you’d handle a food safety issue or optimise a product's flavour profile. Practising these types of questions can help us demonstrate our problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Food Innovation
Since it’s a part-time role, let’s emphasise your enthusiasm for food technology and innovation. Share any personal projects or experiences that show your commitment to the field. This can help us connect with the interviewers at Sustain and showcase our motivation beyond just technical skills!
✨Network with Your Peers
Connecting with others in the food science community can give us insights into what's hot in the industry. We can also gather tips from peers about Sustain and what they might be looking for in a candidate. It’s all about making those connections and getting the inside scoop to set us apart!
