How to apply for Co-founder and Head of Candidate Programmes
Sourcing Stewards
About Sourcing Stewards
Sourcing Stewards is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to reducing animal suffering by placing animal-welfare advocates in key purchasing roles within the food industry. This mission-driven startup offers a unique opportunity to shape a new kind of recruitment service from the ground up, making a tangible impact on animal welfare and the future of food.
About the role
As Co-founder and Head of Candidate Programmes, you will build and lead a candidate recruitment programme, coaching animal-welfare advocates through job applications and interviews for high-impact roles in UK food businesses. This role is central to the company's success, requiring you to balance strategic decisions about business relationships with hands-on candidate support, all while shaping the organisation's structure from scratch.
A typical day
A typical day might involve coaching a candidate on their CV, researching target food companies for purchasing roles, and developing guidance materials. You'll also spend time strategising with the founding team on programme scope and possibly meeting with food business contacts to explore collaborations.
Who Sourcing Stewards is looking for
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Tips for this application
- Highlight specific examples of how you've coached candidates to success, not just your placement numbers.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of animal welfare issues and the food industry, perhaps by mentioning relevant campaigns or companies you follow.
- In your cover letter, propose an initial strategy for the candidate programme, showing you've thought deeply about the role.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to building relationships with food businesses versus focusing on candidates—show you have a balanced perspective.
- Tailor your CV to emphasise your experience in both recruitment and any entrepreneurial or startup ventures.
What to cover in your cover letter
Your cover letter should clearly state your passion for animal welfare and how your recruitment expertise can directly contribute to Sourcing Stewards' mission. Emphasise your hands-on coaching experience and your ability to build structures from scratch. Also, mention your strategic vision for the programme and your excitement about the trial project.
Draft a cover letterResearch before applying
- Research Sourcing Stewards' mission and any published content or interviews from the founders.
- Look into the current state of animal advocacy in the UK food industry and key players in alternative proteins.
- Understand the typical career paths for animal-welfare advocates transitioning into purchasing roles.
- Review the job description and identify the specific challenges of the eight-day paid trial project to prepare questions.
Likely interview topics
Based on the job description, expect questions about:
- Describe a time you coached a candidate who was struggling; what was your approach and outcome?
- How would you identify high-impact roles in UK food businesses for animal-welfare advocates?
- What is your view on the balance between direct relationships with food businesses and candidate-focused strategy?
- How would you structure the candidate programme in the first six months?
- How do you stay informed about animal welfare and alternative proteins, and how would that influence your work?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Focusing solely on recruitment metrics without demonstrating genuine interest in animal welfare.
- Overemphasising corporate recruitment experience without showing adaptability to a startup environment.
- Failing to consider the ethical implications of placing candidates in food businesses—show you understand the mission.
Deadline
No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.