Reporting To: Supply Lead
Salary/Rate: £29,000 - £31,000 (depending on experience)
Contract Type: Six months fixed term with possibility to go permanent
Location: Marden, Kent and Eridge, East Sussex
About The Felix Project
The Felix Project is London’s largest food redistribution charity. Started in 2016, its vision is a London where good food is never wasted, and no one goes hungry. In 2024 our workforce of over 200 staff and 13,000 volunteers collected and distributed the equivalent of 38 million meals to Londoners in need. This is done through a network of 1,200 community organisations and schools who are working on the frontline to feed people who are experiencing hunger and cannot afford to regularly buy the food they need. The Felix Project works with hundreds of suppliers from across the food industry, including supermarkets, wholesalers, farms and restaurants to rescue high quality surplus food, that cannot be sold and would otherwise go to waste.
In London, one in four working families regularly struggle to afford to feed their children, equating to an estimated 325,000 families across the capital. The cost of food has increased by 30% in the past three years and one in eight working families have less than £3 a day for food, after paying their bills. About 20% of working families have been forced to access a food support service for the first time during 2024 due to the rising cost of living.
Our work has never been more needed, and demand continues to grow. We are building our expertise and impact in response. The Felix Project now operates from four main depots in North, South, East, and West London, with ‘point-to-point’ projects in Central London and Canary Wharf. Felix’s Kitchen in our East London depot produces up to 5,000 meals per day from surplus food. Felix’s Multibank in West London distributes non-food items to those who need it most. As part of the charity’s involvement with The Coronation Food Project, we are launching an innovative food processing lab – The Felix Food Factory.
Purpose of the Job
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that the charity is successful in achieving its objective to rescue and secure a growing supply of surplus food direct from farms, helping us to meet our ambitious future meal targets to feed those in need. You will take a lead role in maintaining relations with the farms and managing large groups of corporate volunteers who change day to day. You will be the First Aid point of contact, provide support with resource planning, daily reporting and measurement. You will also work with the Felix media team to capture photos, case studies and other activities. This is a hands-on role that requires being on your feet and frequent manual handling and is 100% outdoor based regardless of weather.
Duties and Accountabilities
* Initial set up 8:00am at orchard site each day
* Carry out Dynamic Risk Assessment each morning
* Meet, greet and check in volunteers on arrival
* Support volunteers with way finding from train station to farm
* Introduction and H&S briefings for volunteers
* Manage all aspects of picking, stacking, loading of fruit
* Arrange lunch and refreshments for volunteers
* Liaise with farmer/on-site contact day-to-day
* Liaise with Haulier to arrange collections and deliveries
* Liaise with the depot teams regarding deliveries
* Lead & support where necessary on all farm outreach activity
* Any other duties as directed by line management
Person Specification
You will be happy working in a busy environment, leading large groups of our corporate volunteers. You will understand food quality control or be willing to learn.
You will have a passion for reducing food waste and / or food poverty. You have developed and grown third-party relationships, and you have a passion to be in a charity that is expanding rapidly.
On farm experience not essential as there is a requirement to work at various orchards to gain experience in lead up to Felix 'orchard season'.
The Felix Project recognises the positive value of diversity and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified or experienced individuals, regardless of their race, gender, biological sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Essential Criteria
* Experience working in a busy environment and managing competing tasks
* Confident and professional
* Capable of excelling in a fast-paced dynamic environment
* Ability to work within a team of varied individuals with a positive attitude
* Excellent communication skills
* Happy to be based at either farm in Kent or Sussex
* UK valid driving licence and own car essential
* First Aid – or willing to take the First Aid 3-day course
* Willing to undertake Dynamic Risk Assessment course
Desirable Criteria
* Committed to reducing food waste and fighting food poverty
* Knowledge of food safety legislation and HACCP
Benefits
* 25 days annual leave per annum (+ bank holidays) plus up to 5 days additional leave for length of service.
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave.
* Birthday day off.
* Access to benefit platform for a wide range of discounts on everyday spends plus gym discounts.
* Training and development opportunities.
* Employee assistance programme including 24 Hour GP helpline.
* Cycle to Work Scheme.
* Opportunity for free meals whilst working at our depots.
* After work activities such as Felix’s softball team, running club and cycling club
Application procedure
Please apply via this recruitment portal.Please upload your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (and make sure that they’re both uploaded before submitting your application).
After you have submitted your application, you have 24 hours in which you can access you application and make edits. We suggest that you complete one last proof-read after submission and double check that your CV etc. uploaded correctly.
The Felix Project can only employ applicants who currently have the right to work in the UK.