Manager of Communications & Strategic Partnerships – Applegate Farms (Bridgewater, NJ)

ABOUT APPLEGATE FARMS

Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients, and we source from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of our mission – Changing The Meat We Eat®.

Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means our food is:

From animals Applegate humanely raised without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants
From animals fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet (our beef is 100 percent grass-fed)
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general direction of senior reporting manager, advance Applegate’s mission by developing and executing communications strategies that will elevate awareness and relevancy of the Applegate brand, products and mission through impactful, concise communications and effective partnership alignment. This role will be responsible for running all of the commercial agenda communications (Consumers, customers, lifestyle partnerships etc.)

Lead the development and execution of communications strategy including tactics to support Applegate’s holistic approach and how it connects to health (people, planet and animals) and brand campaigns (i.e., Go Applegatarian):
Ensure consistent messaging across all earned and paid communication channels including broadcast, print, digital, social, experiential marketing activities and internal communications.
Establish, foster and proactively seek media and influencer relationships that broaden the organization's relevancy in a crowded media market while ensuring to maintain alignment to communication strategy, strengthening the brand image and support of overall business goals.
Responsible for leading and executing creative public relations plans to increase awareness and drive trial of Applegate products. Manage public relations and marketing agency relationships and workflow.
Set communications strategy and guide the crafting of and review of relevant communications materials to support brand and mission objectives, such as press releases, website content, The Applegatarian, advertisements (digital banners and print), product packaging and influencer talking points
Lead cross-functional collaboration between communications, brand strategy & experience, product development, research and development, creative, social media and sales teams to amplify earned media strategies and tactics
Develop key metrics for measuring effectiveness of communication campaigns and partnership activities. Analyze this data to improve upon decision-making for future programs.
Evaluate and maintain strategic partnerships with media, health tribes (Registered Dietitians, allergen community, diet programs etc) like-minded brands, and other organizations that will support company objectives and overall brand identity.
Coordinate and approve generated content with strategic partners such as blog/online posts, social media copy, newsletter inclusions, recipe development, and video creation.
Support thought leadership content on the Applegate mission- Changing The Meat We Eat™- including, but not limited to related issues, such as sustainability and environment, antibiotics in agriculture, GMOs, and animal welfare.
Oversee agency partners to coordinate logistics and develop messaging for speaking engagements with senior leadership such as panel discussions and media interviews. Maintain a high standard of excellence and influence staff and agency partners toward the same level of execution
Serve as liaison between Hormel Legal and Applegate to facilitate strong, on-brand messaging that accounts for legal risk.
In conjunction with agency partner, lead Applegate’s crisis management program including acting as Crisis Management Lead in the event of a crisis, developing and refining the plan and leading bi-annual mock-trials/simulations with the full teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, or public relations or equivalent work experience.
8 - 10 years’ experience in brand communications within a consumer-packaged goods industry, or equivalent work experience.
Demonstrated ability to work professionally and courteously with a wide range of internal and external clients.
Proven success in launching communications programs and demonstrating effectiveness through analytical reporting.
Excellent communication skills both oral and written. Ability to give clear direct feedback, set clear expectations.
Track record of effective problem-solving skills, and ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of brand architecture and communications; proven ability to translate the brand into creative content.
Ability to keep projects on track financially, strategically and in accordance with deadlines. Negotiate lowest reasonable cost for services.
Proficient with PC-Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel and PPT)
Must exhibit a passion for food and the company’s vision, mission, and values.
Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.
Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.

Preferred

Experience working on food and beverage communications.
Experience in developing talent and managing junior staff.

LOCATION: Bridgewater, NJ

TRAVEL: Able to travel (10%)

BENEFITS: Applegate Farms offers an excellent benefits package. Competitive base salary plus bonus, annual merit increase performance reviews, medical, dental, vision, profit sharing, 401(k), stock purchase plan, personal paid time. Relocation Assistance Program to eligible applicants, FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel and Applegate we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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Manager of Communications & Strategic Partnerships