For immediate consideration, send resume and cover letter to: Rosemary Gantz, r.gantz@stantonchase.com.
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is one of the state’s most respected and influential business advocacy organizations representing food retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and industry partners across New Jersey. For decades, NJFC has served as a trusted voice on legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters impacting the food industry and the millions of consumers it serves.
With the planned retirement of its longtime President & CEO, NJFC is seeking a relationship-oriented, politically savvy executive to help lead the organization into its next chapter while preserving the strong credibility, trust, and influence already established throughout the industry and across the state.
This is not a turnaround or transformational assignment. The organization is healthy, respected, and highly regarded. The opportunity is best suited for an experienced executive who combines strong advocacy and communication capabilities with proven organizational and business leadership experience.
What We’re Looking For
NJFC seeks a visible and engaged executive who is comfortable operating at the intersection of business, government, communications, and member engagement. The successful candidate will bring:
Strong leadership experience within a trade association, member-driven organization, industry group, or related business environment, including the food industry
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills
Executive presence and media skills with the ability to represent the organization publicly and politically
Experience leading teams, managing budgets, setting organizational priorities, and overseeing operations
The ability to quickly establish trust with member companies, legislators, regulators, and industry partners
A calm, diplomatic, and collaborative leadership style
P&L management experience and strong business acumen
An appreciation for modernizing organizational tools, reporting, communications, and technology platforms to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and member engagement
A non-partisan and balanced, pragmatic approach
The Right Leadership Profile
The ideal candidate may come from:
A statewide or regional trade or business association
A member-driven organization with operational and external-facing leadership responsibilities
Food industry, retail, grocery or adjacent sectors
Chambers of commerce, appointees or industry advocacy organizations
Corporate affairs, communications or public affairs executive roles with meaningful organizational responsibility
While advocacy and government relations experience are important, the role also requires broader executive leadership capability, including organizational management, strategic prioritization, member engagement, operational oversight, and experience using and leveraging modern technology tools to increase internal efficiency and improve strategic member engagement.
Why This Opportunity Matters
NJFC plays a meaningful role in shaping policy and protecting an industry that impacts nearly every household in New Jersey. The next President & CEO will inherit a strong foundation, an engaged membership base, and the opportunity to become a highly respected voice within one of the state’s most important industries.
