Chief Executive Officer

We are delighted to be engaged once more by the UK's leading Organic Certification Organisation to recruit their new CEO on the retirement of the present encumbent. To apply, candidates will be required to demonstrate substantial experience in the Organic sector.

Accredited by DEFRA, the body inspects Organic production & processing across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The client portfolio ranges from arable & livestock farms, abbatoires, wholesalers, retailers, importers, animal feeds, textiles, cosmetics and bodycare products, including storage & warehousing.

Reporting to the Board of Directors.

Job Purpose;

• Oversee and monitor the implementation of a professional and practical approach to the delivery of the accreditation undertaken by the Company across all schemes


• Ensure the integrity of the Company is maintained without exception


• Timely and effective management of the Company’s staff


• Monitor and oversee all budgetary, financial, personnel and operational activities


• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies and policies to ensure that the Company will meet goals determined by the Board of Directors


• Analyse and identify all risks (internal and external) recommending financial and operational measures to mitigate against

Key Responsibilities;

• The CEO has the executive responsibility for the business under authority delegated to them by the Board


• Review financial and non-financial reports and make high-quality financial and operational decisions to ensure the Company’s performance is consistent with the overall financial and strategic targets set out by the Board


• Report to the Board with appropriate, timely and quality information


• Recommend to the Board significant operational and/or personnel changes and capital expenditures, enacting any changes agreed


• Enforce adherence to legal guidelines and Quality Management Systems to maintain the company’s legality, integrity and business ethics


• Recruit, develop and retain talented people to ensure strong Certification, Quality Systems and Administrative teams


• Lead and motivate staff to advance employee engagement and develop a high performing team. Assign responsibilities clearly to staff and manage their performance


• Monitor and resolve complaints against the Company or its service delivery


• Develop high quality business strategies and proposals in line with the short & long term objectives agreed by the Board


• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the markets and industries the Company operates in and seek to develop new revenue streams where these align with the Company’s strategic aims


• Oversee and co-ordinate all communications with operators across all schemes


• Clearly define the Company’s strategic messaging, in conjunction with the Company’s PR company, and oversee and facilitate wider public relations activities to raise the visibility of the Company to target audiences and promote the Company’s schemes and service delivery


• Communicate the strategic objectives and values of the Company as agreed with the Board


• Co-ordinate, oversee and directly engage with (where appropriate) wider relevant sector policy initiatives


• Ensure that the Company remains appraised of any Governmental or non-Governmental policy developments that may represent a risk to the Company and ensure the Company is positioned to enable it to influence any policy framework


• Build trusted relations with partners and stakeholders and act as the key point of contact


• Represent the organisation at relevant external meetings


• Liaise with other Sector Bodies, UKOCG and Scheme owners


• Liaise with the Certification Committee and SOPA Technical Advisory Committee


• Liaise with UKAS and DEFRA, assisting with annual audits

Application criteria;

Proven track record in senior management position

An understanding of current workplace legislation

An understanding of business finances including budgets and balance sheets

Excellent levels of oral and written communication

Computer skills – ability to use word processing, spreadsheet & database programmes

Experience working in the relevant areas within which the Company operates

Honesty, integrity and commitment to the businesses core values

The position will involve elements of both hybrid and office based working patterns. Candidates should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of Shrewsbury, Shropshire