Association Manager/Director General

Association Manager/Director General –

Food Manufacturing Technologies Europe (FMTE)

Orgalim | Europe’s Technology Industries is looking for an Association Manager/Director General to join our growing Partnership Department and lead the Secretariat of FMTE, the association representing Food Manufacturing Technologies in Europe. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a young, highly dynamic and fast-growing European industry association.

Who we are

Orgalim has a team of over 30 people – 14 nationalities – representing the interests of Europe’s technology industries: innovative companies spanning the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, and metal technology branches. We are working with policymakers and stakeholders to strengthen our industries’ growth and global leadership and to maximise their contribution to Europe’s economy and society.

Orgalim’s Partnership Department provides services to nearly 20 associations across a diverse spectrum of technology sectors. A dedicated multidisciplinary team of advisers delivers a tailored offering ranging from monitoring to advocacy, to full-time association management, strategy and support.

FMTE (https://www.fmte.org/) represents the food manufacturing technologies and equipment sector. Its scope covers mechanical and digital equipment, machinery and technologies used to handle, process and store food and beverages, including tools used for preparing, preserving, refining, handling, packaging and storing. This industry is the middle link in the food value chain, and its success helps to ensure the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in Europe.

The Orgalim Partnership Department has supported the establishment of FMTE and runs its Secretariat. Several team members attend to the various needs of the association, in support of FMTE’s policy work, as well as communication and membership development activities.

Job brief and responsibilities

The Association’s Manager primary role is to serve as FMTE’s next Director General, leading the day-to-day management of the organisation and overseeing the activities of the Secretariat. The DG supports the President, Board of Directors and Sherpa Group in delivering FMTE’s strategy and priorities. As a young, fast-growing organisation, FMTE is looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and hands-on manager with strong leadership and communication skills who can drive FMTE’s future development and be its representative in the Brussels’ policy arena. The Association Manager will also support other Partnership management tasks or clients as required.

The responsibilities include:

• Governance, strategic leadership and internal coordination
• Operational management, compliance, finances
• Policy priorities, positions and advocacy strategies
• Membership development and member engagement
• Communications and visibility
• Support to other Partnership management tasks or clients as required

Profile and skills

Essential experience

• Proven experience in association management, coalition leadership or comparable stakeholder-facing roles
• Demonstrated experience engaging with EU institutions and relevant stakeholders; ability to represent an organisation’s positions credibly and constructively
• Track record of coordinating member-driven workstreams and delivering outputs (e.g., position papers, advocacy plans, events, stakeholder briefings).

Core competencies

• Strategic execution: translate Board priorities into clear plans, deliverables and timelines; manage multiple parallel workstreams
• Governance discipline: strong ability to work under Board/President guidance, support decision-making processes and ensure accountability
• Stakeholder management: build and maintain effective external relationships
• Compliance mindset: comfort operating under competition law constraints and embedding compliance into meeting processes and outputs
• Operational excellence: strong planning, organisation and prioritisation skills; ability to run a lean Secretariat and deliver at pace
• Writing and communication: excellent drafting skills (briefing notes, minutes, positions) and the ability to communicate complex topics clearly
• Fluent English; good knowledge of other European languages is a plus.

Desirable knowledge

• Familiarity with EU policy and regulatory processes relevant to industrial competitiveness, sustainability and food manufacturing technologies
• Understanding of one or more of FMTE’s priority areas (e.g., water resilience, biotech/food innovation, PFAS/chemicals policy, food contact materials).

Our offer

• A full-time role in a dynamic, flexible and international working environment in Brussels
• Joining one of the leading industry associations in Brussels and being at the heart of the ongoing industrial transformation of Europe
• A competitive salary based on experience and merit, with benefits including private pension plan, a premium health insurance covering hospitalisation, medical and dental expenses, meal vouchers and expense allowances. The salary range will be communicated to the candidates before the first interview.

Please send

• CV and motivation letter to Marie José Grilo ([email protected]), for the attention of Orgalim Director General Ulrich Adam, by 19 June 2026, mentioning “Association Manager – FMTE” in the e-mail subject line.
• In the body of the email, please copy in: “I hereby consent that my personal data is processed by Orgalim for recruitment purposes” so that we have your written consent to follow up on your application.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

ANNEX – list of key responsibilities

Governance, leadership and internal coordination

• Ensure the effective operation of FMTE’s Secretariat and day-to-day management in line with FMTE governance
• Prepare, organise and support FMTE governance meetings (Board and General Assembly): agendas, preparatory documents, minutes, follow-up and action tracking
• Coordinate closely with the Sherpa Group to ensure member input is channeled effectively and workstreams are delivered in line with Board priorities.

Operational management, compliance, finances

• Oversee operational tasks including administration, planning, documentation management and operational reporting.
• Ensure FMTE activities are conducted in full compliance with FMTE’s Competition Law Compliance Framework and applicable laws, including meeting conduct and documentation discipline
• Prepare budget, track execution, and deliver reporting, liaising with external accountant and ensuring sound financial management.

Policy priorities, positions and advocacy strategies

• Coordinate the development of FMTE’s policy priorities and the delivery of positions, advocacy plans and supporting materials through FMTE’s competent bodies
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant EU institutions and stakeholders; represent FMTE externally in line with Board-approved messages
• Support and steer FMTE working bodies together with secretariat staff, member leads and the Sherpa Group.

Membership development and member engagement

• Support membership development activities, including the coordination of outreach activities
• Mobilise member experts, data and technical input required for advocacy and communications deliverables.

Communications and visibility

• Support delivery of FMTE communications initiatives through the Communications Working Group, including planning, content coordination and stakeholder visibility actions
• Ensure consistent and accurate messaging aligned with FMTE’s priorities and governance decisions.

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