We’re on the lookout for a two new roles to work on the Broadland Food Innovation Project. The project will deliver a unique food and drink focused innovation ecosystem combining a cluster, business support, and a Food Innovation Centre.
The cluster, led by University of East Anglia (UEA), will provide opportunities to meet other businesses and knowledge organisations who can work together to accelerate R&D and commercialisation projects.
The innovation support package, led by Hethel Innovation Ltd (HIL), will provide practical support and facilitate access to financial support for the innovation process.
The project will remove the barriers to innovation within the food and drink sector through the support package as well as the provision of food grade facilities comprising 13 bespoke food-grade incubator units, 2 test kitchens, and industry-standard sensory testing facility.
The ERDF project is a collaboration between Broadland District Council, New Anglia LEP, University of East Anglia and Hethel Innovation Ltd. Both of the new roles will be employees of HIL but will need to work seamlessly across all partner organisations.
Food Business Advisor
Overview of the Role
- Provide business support and development services to businesses in the food and drink sector, or businesses linked to that sector through the supply chain
- Undertake research, mapping and engaging with businesses in the region, providing outputs that will create an understanding of key current and future sectors
- Develop and maintain relationships through regular contact, with key customers in Norfolk, Suffolk, the region and nationally within both the private and public sectors and the wider region to fully understand needs of food and drink businesses
- Assist with the organisation of events and meetings – working alongside the Cluster Coordinator and Project Administrator
- Broker / support collaborations that deliver commercialisation of ideas and job creation
- Maintain a comprehensive business tracking system, the collation of statistics and outputs as required by the funding bodies, providing draft written reports and management information as required and ensuring specific administrative support for the ERDF project. This includes engaging with external auditors and evaluators as required
- Record information using project tracking systems and produce regular Key Performance Indicator reports measured against agreed targets to ensure delivery of planned progress, presenting new potential ideas, such as new promotional plans, and follow lead on direction of initiatives
- Be a proactive member of the project team, striving for continuous improvement.
If this is an opportunity you’re interested in, you can download the full job specification and apply on Indeed below.
ERDF Project Manager
Overview of the Role
- Ensuring all outputs / outcomes are delivered with respect to project delivery time scales
- Ultimate control of finances and ensuring compliance to ERDF guidelines
- Communication with project board and fulfilling required actions
- Maintenance of the risk and issue register, and ensure it is reported, reviewed and actioned regularly
- Maintaining regular communication with the entire delivery team, including the delivery partner leads
- Review project finances to ensure finances are on track, and compliance with regulations and guidelines
- Establish and maintain effective corporate governance as well as systems to ensure the overarching performance targets are monitored, met and regularly reported on.
- Maintain a high profile for the project within local, regional, specialist and if possible/appropriate, national media as a best-in-class sector development intervention.
- Management of the day-to-day project operations and delivery
- Management of the DPS and associated network of consultants
- Ensure the project remains aligned to the project application whilst being able to adapt to beneficiary needs
If this is an opportunity you’re interested in, you can download the full job specification and apply on Indeed below.
For both roles, we are looking for someone to start in October 2021, running through until July 2023 when the ERDF project closes.
The application period is open until 5th September. To apply, please submit your CV with a cover letter being optional but preferred, through Indeed. Interviews will take place on 28th September, held virtually over Microsoft Teams.
