Select Recruitment are proud to be supporting The Feed who are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead their dual mission of social impact and commercial success.
The Feed is more than just a food organisation – they're community builders. Through their Social Supermarket, Community Café & Kitchen, and thriving catering enterprise, they tackle food inequality while empowering communities across Norwich. Their mission is simple yet powerful: ensuring each and every person has the support to eat well, live well, and feel connected.
Operating as both a Foundation (charity) and a CIC (Community Interest Company), they are creating a unique model where their commercial activities directly fund their social impact work. From delivering advice sessions and workshops to running successful cafés that generate sustainable income, everything they do works towards their vision of "communities where everyone thrives."
This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation that perfectly balances commercial acumen with social purpose. You'll be responsible for:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a clear vision for sustainable growth across both their charitable and commercial activities
- Lead strategic direction in alignment with community needs and their mission to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes
- Drive business development and identify new revenue streams and partnerships
- Secure and diversify income through grants, contracts, retail, social enterprise, and donor relationships
- Develop comprehensive sales and fundraising strategies
- Demonstrate value through Social Return on Investment (SROI) reporting
- Build strong relationships with local communities, health organisations, councils, and third-sector partners
- Represent the organisation at health and wellbeing forums and funding networks
- Promote their impact through strategic communications and advocacy
- Ensure day-to-day effectiveness across all activities, fostering a culture of excellence in customer service
- Manage budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for both Foundation and CIC
- Lead and support their committed team of staff and volunteers
Essential:
- Proven ability to combine commercial and entrepreneurial capability with social impact
- Track record of turning strategic vision into reality
- Strong leadership capabilities with a collaborative, engaging approach
- Understanding of statutory, voluntary, and community sectors
- Experience in charity governance, risk management, and financial management
- Excellent networking and communication skills
- Commitment to social justice, reducing inequalities, and empowering communities
- Understanding of food insecurity and community wellbeing initiatives
- Experience working in communities affected by poverty or health inequality
- Leadership experience in voluntary, community, social enterprise, or retail sectors
- Meaningful Impact: Lead an organisation that directly transforms lives and communities
- Dual Focus: Unique opportunity to balance commercial success with social purpose
- Flexible Working: Hybrid role across multiple sites with flexible hours
- Supportive Culture: Join a team that values creativity, energy, and treating people well
- Growth Opportunity: Shape the future of an innovative and expanding organisation
Select is proud to support The Feed in finding their next Chief Executive Officer.
For an informal conversation about this role, please call Julie Rainford at the Feed or apply directly to Emma at Select who can forward your application.
Application Process:
- Application deadline: Thursday, 24th July at 5pm
- First interviews: Week commencing 28th July
- Second interviews: Week commencing 4th August
- Two satisfactory references required (taken up after interview)
About Select Select is delighted to support The Feed in this important recruitment. We specialise in finding exceptional leaders for organisations that make a real difference to their communities.