Communications Officer

Purpose of the role:
The Avara Foods Communications Officer is responsible for the way in which we are perceived by the outside world – primarily through management of our relationship with the media, award recognition, our own social media channels and the Avara Foods website. Part of the wider Communications Team, the Press Officer’s remit will inevitably extend beyond media liaison and will be expected to contribute to a range of communications objectives, projects and initiatives.

Proactive, enthusiastic but also measured, the Communications Officer will take the lead on a wide range of press activities within the team; focusing primarily on brand and reputation in local, trade and digital media. As a major food business, serving the UK favourite supermarkets and restaurants, our reputation is part of our licence to do business and is extremely valuable.

The Communications Officer will work closely with a range of expert stakeholders from the wider Avara business, at times drawing on their support for content and at others helping them craft their own communications. The ability to quickly establish trusted and effective working relationships is, therefore, essential.

This role will offer an excellent opportunity to further your career within press and public relations; gaining exposure to a wide range of subjects and developing your skills.

Your key responsibilities as Communications Officer will include:

• Support the delivery of the PR strategy
• Proactively identify and deliver opportunities to protect and enhance Avara Foods’ reputation
• Lead our communications response in crisis situations
• Manage Avara Foods’ digital communication channels, including website and social media
• Act as a trusted adviser on communications to the wider business, including senior leadership
• Take ownership of press queries and related activities

What we are looking for:

• Experience within a PR environment (either client side or agency side)
• Direct experience of managing press enquiries and media relations
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written
• Proactive and driven
• Strong people skills, able to quickly build durable and production relationships
• Strong desire to learn and develop your skillset further
• Ability to take a solution-based approach to obstacles
• The ability to offer creative and innovative ideas
• Beneficial but not essential, skills in digital media skills, including content creation, editing and publishing and experience working in an agriculture and/or food manufacturing environment

A little about us:
Avara Foods is one of the UK’s largest food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the nation’s most popular supermarkets and restaurants. We are a fully integrated business controlling the whole product supply chain, which include feed mills, farms, hatcheries and factories with associated transport and logistics functions that employ more than 7000 people. This is achieved by investing in people, utilising the latest technology and being uncompromising in our commitment to high quality and food standards.

All our facilities are Covid secure, with protective measures and precautions in place to keep our people safe which include:

• Virtual interview process
• Daily temperature screening
• Rolling out risk based Lateral Flow Testing across operational sites
• Social distancing measures – including floor markers and 2m separation where possible
• Screens and barriers installed at workstations and canteens
• Face coverings required in all shared spaces
• Increased cleaning regimes across sites
• Virtual meetings and remote working

What’s in it for you?
As a Communications Officer you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognised and rewarded.
We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following

• 31 Days Holiday
• 6% Pension
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Various lifestyle benefits, including wellbeing resources

If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

Closing date for applications is Friday 30th July 2021.