Manager, State Government Affairs

### About the Organization

FMI represents food retailers and wholesalers and develops and promotes policies, programs and forums supporting its members, their customers and supplier partners, and other industry stakeholders in the areas of:

– Government relations;
– Food and product safety and defense;
– Education;
– Industry collaboration and networking;
– Research;
– Health and wellness;
– Social, environmental and sustainability programs; and
– Communications.

By pursuing these activities, FMI provides leadership and advocacy for the food and consumer product industry worldwide as the industry innovates to meet the changing needs of its customers.

### Description

**Primary Purpose:**

Provide research, information, leadership and deliverables to FMI members, state associations and FMI staff on assigned state government affairs issues of priority interest to the industry. Assist in planning and executing FMI State Retreat and State Regional Legislative Planning meetings. Manage legislative issues to include pending and enacted state legislation and state regulatory activities as specified by the Vice President, State Government Relations.

**Essential Job Functions:**

– Monitor, analyze and report on state legislative and state regulatory initiatives in the priority issue areas on behalf of the FMI membership. Utilize FMI’s state legislative tracking systems as a tool.
– Identify emerging state public policy initiatives and share findings with the team.
– Prepare and research information on priority state issues, including developing and drafting policy papers, background documents and other deliverables.
– Plan and execute the logistics, programming and technology interface for State Government Relations department meetings including the State Legislative Issues Retreat and State Regional Legislative Planning meetings. These may be in-person or virtual.
– Coordinate state association and member participation in state affairs meetings.
– Create and write articles for FMI State Affairs newsletters.
– Communicate effectively with members and state associations and handle information requests and the development of deliverables.

**Other Job Functions:**

– Other duties and projects as assigned or directed.

### Position Requirements

**Physical Requirements:**

– Normal office environment requiring the use of typical business equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, fax, and copier machines).
– Ability to travel to conventions and conferences to manage on-site meeting activities.
– Ability to travel to FMI Headquarters, and conferences when needed.
– The person in this position will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule Monday through Thursday requiring a minimum of two days in the office per week during that four-day period with every Friday being a remote workday (unless management requires the person to work in the office).

**Education, Skills, and Experience:**

– College degree in a related area preferred.
– A minimum of three to five years of prior professional work experience in a similar role or related field.
– Previous work in politics and governmental process including 3+ years’ experience in government or government affairs.
– Knowledge of computers and technology, including but not limited to Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, CMS Programs, and online advocacy tools. Previous experience using MultiState tracking software is a plus.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills (including editing and proofreading skills). The ability to write persuasively to various audiences is required. Previous public speaking experience is a plus.
– Excellent people, collaboration, and customer service skills.
– Analytical and critical thinking skills.
– Strong customer service and team orientation.
– Ability to organize, prioritize, and accomplish multiple tasks with attention to detail with a proven track record of delivering on commitments with minimal supervision.
– Must be self-directed with excellent time and project management skills with strict attention to detail.
– Ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations.
– Personal qualities must include drive, determination, flexibility, open-mindedness, and must be a collaborator.

**Disclaimer:**

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

FMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Learn more here