Founders Associate

Job description

Vive is a fast-growing FMCG brand and food manufacturer based in Leicester.

We create great-tasting snack bars under our own brand, Vive, and also manufacture for a growing number of partner brands. Our sales are primarily direct-to-consumer online, alongside listings with leading retailers and tastemakers including Ocado, Planet Organic and Dunelm. The business is growing rapidly year-on-year.

Vive is founder-led, highly commercial, and execution-focused. We operate in a hands-on environment where ideas move quickly into action and individuals are trusted with real responsibility.

This role primarily supports Vive Foods (around 80%), with the remaining time supporting another business owned by the Founder — an NHS orthodontic practice based in Nottingham.

We’re looking for a high-calibre, commercially minded Founder’s Associate to work directly with the Founder and Managing Director.

This is a hands-on, high-ownership role sitting at the centre of the business. You’ll help turn ideas into execution, keep commercial and operational priorities moving, and bring structure and momentum to a fast-growing company.

You’ll often be given a problem or objective rather than step-by-step instructions. The expectation is that you can work out how to solve it, who to involve, and how to drive it through to completion.

If you want real exposure to how a founder-led FMCG business operates — and enjoy solving real problems — this role will suit you.

Commercial & Operational Execution

• Track and follow up on key commercial conversations, proposals, and opportunities
• Support customer and partner enquiries, ensuring momentum is maintained
• Coordinate with suppliers, agencies, and partners to keep priorities on track
• Draft clear, professional correspondence and follow-ups on behalf of the Founder

Problem Solving & Process Improvement

• Take ownership of ambiguous or ad-hoc projects and work out how to deliver them effectively
• Identify inefficiencies and implement better systems, tools, or ways of working
• Research suppliers, software, competitors, or opportunities and present clear recommendations
• Act as a connective layer across multiple projects and teams

Founder Support

• Manage the Founder’s inbox, diary, and travel as needed
• Prepare meeting notes, action lists, and ensure follow-through
• Support hiring processes and internal documentation where required

Additional Business Support (~20%)

• Provide operational and administrative support to another business owned by the Founder
• Assist with stakeholder coordination, compliance admin, communications, and financial queries
  

We care more about ability, judgement, and mindset than specific job titles.

You’re likely someone who:

• Is highly organised and comfortable managing multiple moving parts
• Enjoys solving problems and working things out independently
• Thinks commercially
• Is confident communicating with internal and external stakeholders
• Is tech-literate and interested in building efficient systems
• Can switch between detail and big-picture thinking

Backgrounds that could be a good fit include (but aren’t limited to):

• Operations, commercial, or project roles
• Startup or scale-up environments
• Consulting, account management, or coordination-heavy roles
• Executive Assistant roles with significant commercial exposure
  

• Salary: £30,000 – £40,000 depending on experience
• A front-row seat to building and scaling a fast-growing FMCG brand
• Direct exposure to the Founder and real decision-making
• A role that will evolve as the business grows
• Informal, friendly, high-performance working environment
• 28 days’ holiday including bank holidays
• Free Vive snack bars
  

Please apply via LinkedIn or send your CV and a short cover letter to:

ishak@eatvive.com

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Leicester

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

12-02-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English