Manager, Policy and Advocacy in Chicago, Illinois at Institute of Food Technologists

OVERVIEW

The Manager, Policy and Advocacy supports the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC)’s work to advance interoperable, event-based traceability systems across global food systems through policy engagement, stakeholder outreach, applied research, and advocacy.

This role helps translate complex traceability, technology, and food systems concepts into clear, actionable messaging for regulators, policymakers, industry associations, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The Manager will support GFTC’s efforts to build alignment around traceability best practices, inform regulatory and policy discussions, and strengthen adoption of interoperable digital traceability approaches across food systems.

This position is based at our headquarters in Chicago, IL; however, applicants from other locations may be considered.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy, Advocacy, & Stakeholder Engagement

• Supports GFTC’s engagement with regulators, policymakers, industry associations, NGOs, technology providers, and supply chain actors

• Tracks and analyzes relevant policy, regulatory, standards, and market developments related to food traceability, interoperability, digital systems, and supply chain transparency

• Helps develop advocacy strategies, messaging, and materials to advance GFTC priorities

• Supports participation in external meetings, workshops, consultations, and public forums

• Represents and champions GFTC initiatives with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm in internal and external settings

Research & Analysis

• Conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to support GFTC initiatives, policy positions, and stakeholder engagement

• Synthesizes complex information into clear, practical insights for diverse audiences

• Applies food systems knowledge to interpret traceability challenges across supply chains, including how data, operations, regulation, and stakeholders interact

• Supports research activities, including data collection, literature review, policy review, and stakeholder input analysis

Communications, Outputs, & Content Development

• Drafts and contributes to reports, policy briefs, public comments, presentations, guidance documents, talking points, and other materials

• Translates technical and policy concepts into accessible language for industry, government, NGOs, and other audiences

• Contributes to development of traceability best practices, implementation resources, and stakeholder-facing tools

• Supports communications that build understanding of GFTC’s role, priorities, and initiatives

Project Execution

• Supports execution of GFTC projects related to traceability, policy, technology, interoperability, and food systems

• Collaborates with internal team members and external partners to deliver project outputs

• Coordinates with the Program Manager to ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder follow-up

• Helps gather input and feedback to inform GFTC outputs and initiatives

Strategy Support

• Provides research, policy, and stakeholder insights to inform GFTC priorities and project development

• Contributes to proposals, concept notes, briefing materials, and supporting documents for new initiatives

• Identifies opportunities for GFTC to contribute to policy, regulatory, standards, and market discussions related to traceability

TRAVEL REQUIRED & WORK CONDITIONS

• Travel: 20–30% (domestic and international, depending on project needs)

• Ability to work across time zones and with global stakeholders

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of relevant professional experience or demonstrated competency in industry, government, nonprofit, trade association, policy, advocacy, or related environments

• Experience engaging with regulators, policymakers, industry associations, or other stakeholders on advocacy, standards, regulatory, or public policy initiatives

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including industry representatives, government agencies, NGOs, technology providers, and supply chain actors

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical or policy topics into clear, accessible language for a wide range of audiences

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and contribute across projects

• Ability to represent and champion organizational initiatives with enthusiasm, credibility, and professionalism in both internal and external settings

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with global food systems, including supply chain structures, regulatory environments, or sustainability challenges

• Experience with traceability, supply chains, or data systems

• Exposure to digital tools or technology-enabled solutions

• Experience working in international or multi-stakeholder environments

• Familiarity with GS1 standards (e.g., EPCIS) a plus

OTHER DUTIES

This position, and all others at IFT, may be modified at any time. To ensure operational efficiency and meet the changing needs of our customers and our Business, other duties may be assigned as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

POSITION TERM & FUNDING

This position is supported by external grant funding currently secured through April 2029. As such, the role is structured as a term-limited position. Continuation beyond this period is contingent on future funding. GFTC has a strong track record of securing funding and growing its portfolio of work, and this role is expected to play an important part in that continued growth.