Content Strategist

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros, and Morton Williams.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

About You

As part of the Retail Communications team, the Content Strategist is dedicated to strategizing and crafting compelling and actionable communications for Wakefern’s membership, retail associates and consumers.

The highly competitive retail environment requires a team of associates who are engaged, knowledgeable and committed to delivering exceptional customer experience. Providing actionable communications to those associates that improve operations, realize efficiencies, reduce costs, ensure adoption of new technologies and promotional strategies and enhance customer interactions is the focus of the Retail Communications team.

Guided by Wakefern and ShopRite’s corporate purpose and values, the Retail Communications Content Strategist will use innovative forms of communications across a variety of platforms and channels to help foster a customer and service-driven culture at retail. The Content Strategist will work with Wakefern’s procurement and service divisions to identify the impact that business decisions and the introduction of new programs and products have on its retail partners and manage change through effective communications.

This pivotal role will help associates adapt to fluctuations in the marketplace, capitalize on new ideas, adjust to internal and external circumstances, and drive improved performance. The successful candidate will assist in moving the organization to the next level of effectiveness and efficiency and support and ensure the successful execution of all corporate goals and strategies.

Essential Functions:

• “Imbed” within the product/service divisions assigned to thoroughly understand and analyze their key business initiatives;
• Determine impact of business decisions and strategies on key constituents including members, retail associates and consumers in order to devise a communications strategy;
• Draft plan, identify supporting collateral needed and communications channel best suited to convey actionable information;
• Create compelling communications that drive behavior change, engage associates and build purpose-driven culture;
• Provide creative and editorial direction to Retail Communication Writer and Visual Designer
• Provide oversight and strategic direction to supporting team;
• Interface with graphic designers and technical support team to accomplish projects and tasks.

Qualifications:

In addition to strong writing and communications skills, this person needs to interface well with leadership and associates at all levels within the organization including members of the senior staff and membership. The person must be detail oriented, able to meet tight deadlines, work on multiple projects simultaneously, establish production schedules and budgets, and operate in a team environment to accomplish goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent education and experience
• 5 to 7 years proven corporate communications experience in a large organization;
• Proven track record in creating corporate communications that increase and improve associate productivity and engagement;
• Strong business acumen, ability to understand financial and marketing strategies;
• Ability to translate complex information into actionable behaviors;
• Solid writing and copy edit skills a must;
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and to work independently;
• Excellent verbal communications skills (writing samples required);
• Knowledge of print production process;
• Ability to provide creative solutions to problems;
• Ability to work in a cross-divisional team environment;
• Knowledge of the intranet environment and mobile employee communications platforms;
• Excellent project management skills; strong eye and editing skills; attention to detail;
• Demonstrate experience working with web/graphic designers and other creative professionals;
• Hands on proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
• The ideal candidate will be resourceful, a self-starter, and self-confident about his or her abilities.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Availability to work a varied, flexible schedule to meet business demands
• Ability to monitor computer screens for long periods of time
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule as established by the division (4 days on-site, 1 day remote)

Core Competencies

• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $95,000 annually. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match & annual company contribution, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.