The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association is proud to be the hub of Northern Ireland's agricultural supply trade industry, representing the interests of its traders, manufacturers, processors, distributors, brokers and service providers, since its inception in 1966.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead NIGTA as its new CEO, continuing the excellent standard of representation the body is known for and providing leadership and policy direction to address the future needs of the industry.
This is a unique and varied opportunity, which will utilise your strong stakeholder management skills, collaborating with the experienced team of industry specialists who form the NIGTA Executive, lobbying and influencing at the highest ministerial level and understanding and meeting the needs of member businesses.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver NIGTA’s strategic plan in alignment with Board objectives.
- Provide informed analysis of policy developments, and regulatory change.
- Identify emerging risks and opportunities for the feed and fertiliser trade in Northern Ireland.
- Ensure NIGTA remains financially sustainable and member-focused.
2. Representation and Advocacy
- Represent NIGTA and its members in discussions with:
- Northern Ireland Executive departments and agencies
- UK Government departments
- EU officials and representatives
- Regulatory and standards bodies
- Agri-food industry stakeholders
- Other business trade associations
- Lead lobbying and advocacy efforts on issues including trade, EU-Exit, regulation, biosecurity, sustainability, and supply chain resilience.
- Act as the public face and spokesperson for the Association.
3. Member Engagement and Services
- Build strong, trusted relationships with member companies.
- Ensure members receive timely updates on regulatory, legislative, and market developments.
- Facilitate working groups and committees to address technical and policy matters.
- Support recruitment and retention of members.
4. Governance and Compliance
- Report regularly to the Board on financial performance, risk, and strategy delivery.
- Ensure compliance with governance, legal, and regulatory obligations.
- Oversee policy development and internal controls.
5. Financial and Operational Management
- Manage budgets, financial planning, and reporting.
- Ensure efficient administration and effective communication systems.
REPORTING AND GOVERNANCE
The CEO reports to the Board of NIGTA and is accountable for delivering agreed strategic objectives and maintaining the Association’s reputation and effectiveness.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Strong understanding of the agri-food landscape and regulatory environment.
- Demonstrable experience in policy development, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
- Proven ability to influence at senior government and industry levels.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and inter-personal skills.
- Strategic thinker with commercial awareness.
Desirable
- Leadership experience, ideally within the agri-food, agri-supply trade, or wider agricultural sector.
- Experience working with membership organisations or trade associations.
- Understanding of sustainability, supply chain assurance, and regulatory compliance frameworks within the agri-supply sector.
Personal Attributes
- Credible and authoritative industry ambassador.
- Politically astute and diplomatically skilled.
- Collaborative and relationship-driven.
- Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic policy environment.
- High integrity and commitment to members’ interests.
- Flexible approach to work and working hours and be able to travel to meet the needs of the role.
WHAT WE OFFER
- A uniquely placed opportunity to expand your breadth and depth of knowledge of the NI Agri-sector and become a leading authority for the industry.
- An experienced and supportive Executive Committee, with a wealth of senior expertise to draw upon.
- A mature and resilient industry, which provides an exciting range of strategic policy areas and partnerships to influence and engage in.
- A full-time permanent role with flexibility in relation to working hours and location.
- Role compatibility for self-employed or freelance applicants.
- A salary package commensurate with experience.
If you feel this role matches your attributes and aspirations and you are excited about the opportunity to shape the economic, environmental and regulatory roadmap for our industry, we welcome your application.
Applications may be made in the strictest confidence by submitting your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the closing date of 5.00pm on Friday 10th April 2026.
We are an Equal Opportunities Association; all applications will be progressed on their merit.
Food Fortress is recognised as a world leading program in the area of Feed and Food safety and currently comprises a network of 80 companies throughout Ireland - covering annual compound feed production of approximately 7 million tonnes.
We are seeking to recruit a Chief Executive pending the retirement of the current Executive Director. The role is part time and the successful candidate will work closely with members and industry stakeholders to deliver a strategic sampling and testing program for compound feeds and a high level surveillance on imported feed materials.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals who can demonstrate an understanding of quality feed production and the importance of managing contaminant risks in the supply chain.
The successful applicant will possess a degree or equivalent in an Agriculture or Food Science discipline with at least five years’ experience at a senior level within the agri-food industry.
Reporting directly to the board they will have proven leadership skills and the ability to build on the reputation and profile of the organisation throughout the food chain.
Interested parties should in the first instance supply a letter of interest and their Curriculum Vitae to the Food Fortress Director, Robin Irvine. Email – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone 07818 888877
Food Fortress is recognised as a world leading program in the area of Feed and Food safety and currently comprises a network of 80 companies throughout Ireland - covering annual compound feed production of approximately 7 million tonnes.
We are seeking to recruit a Chief Executive pending the retirement of the current Executive Director. The role is part time and the successful candidate will work closely with members and industry stakeholders to deliver a strategic sampling and testing program for compound feeds and a high level surveillance on imported feed materials.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals who can demonstrate an understanding of quality feed production and the importance of managing contaminant risks in the supply chain.
The successful applicant will possess a degree or equivalent in an Agriculture or Food Science discipline with at least five years’ experience at a senior level within the agri-food industry.
Reporting directly to the board they will have proven leadership skills and the ability to build on the reputation and profile of the organisation throughout the food chain.
Interested parties should in the first instance supply a letter of interest and their Curriculum Vitae to the Food Fortress Director, Robin Irvine. Email – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone 07818 888877
Food Fortress is recognised as a world leading program in the area of Feed and Food safety and currently comprises a network of 80 companies throughout Ireland - covering annual compound feed production of approximately 7 million tonnes.
We are seeking to recruit a Chief Executive pending the retirement of the current Executive Director. The role is part time and the successful candidate will work closely with members and industry stakeholders to deliver a strategic sampling and testing program for compound feeds and a high level surveillance on imported feed materials.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals who can demonstrate an understanding of quality feed production and the importance of managing contaminant risks in the supply chain.
The successful applicant will possess a degree or equivalent in an Agriculture or Food Science discipline with at least five years’ experience at a senior level within the agri-food industry.
Reporting directly to the board they will have proven leadership skills and the ability to build on the reputation and profile of the organisation throughout the food chain.
Interested parties should in the first instance supply a letter of interest and their Curriculum Vitae to the Food Fortress Director, Robin Irvine. Email – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone 07818 888877
With the food and farming sector facing many challenges in terms of its environmental impact the Food Fortress program for managing the contaminant risk from feed materials is making a significant contribution to the sustainability of livestock farming.
The program which was set up over ten years ago as a partnership between local feed businesses and the Institute of Global Food Security at Queens University Belfast was originally established to protect consumers from chemical contaminants entering the food chain.
According to Executive Director, Robin Irvine, the network which comprises over 80 feed manufacturers and importers throughout Ireland is now playing a major part in the management of anti-nutrients which can impact on feed efficiency and animal performance.
“Precision nutrition and feed efficiency are key to reducing emissions to air and water and anything which impacts on the feed conversion ratio not only adds to production costs but creates more methane, phosphorus and other chemicals harmful to the environment.”
“Members of Food Fortress take part in a rigorous program of testing for the main contaminants - they share in an extensive database of results and are regularly updated with expert analysis and guidance on how to mitigate the current risks from feed materials”.
The support of Queens University has been a key element of the program says Robin - “They are recognised worldwide as the leading authority on food safety and authenticity. The facilities at the Institute of Global Food Security headquarters are very impressive – with a state of the art testing laboratory capable of detecting a wide range of chemical compounds”.
The effect of climate change has meant that growing and harvesting conditions for many of our key feed materials are conducive to the growth of the moulds which produce mycotoxins. “As our scheme has developed over the years we have seen the emergence of mycotoxins as a major threat to feed efficiency. QUB’s work has brought our awareness of these contaminants to a new level – we are now able to screen for 35 different mycotoxins – including many new and emerging toxins which often go undetected”.
Animals exposed to these toxins can suffer impaired feed intake and digestive disorders – often resulting in reduced performance. The impact varies according to species with pigs and young poultry most susceptible while adult ruminants are more tolerant. Mycotoxin loading is now factored in by feed formulators in preparing rations for different species and types of livestock to ensure optimum feed efficiency.
According to Dr Simon Haughey of Queens University “Food Fortress is an excellent exemplar of an industry collaborating and working with researchers and academia to add value to a key sector of the economy. It is unique to Northern Ireland and gives competitive advantage to our food producers while helping the industry meet its climate change commitments”.
