Job description

Straus Family Creamery is a Northern California, certified organic, artisan creamery offering cream-top milk, yogurt, butter, ice cream, sour cream and a variety of wholesale and specialty dairy products distributed throughout Northern California. Based in Marshall, CA, Straus Family Creamery makes its minimally-processed dairy products from organic milk supplied by a handful of family farms in Marin and Sonoma Counties, including the Straus family dairy. Straus Family Creamery sustains collaborative relationships with dairy farmers, offering stable prices and predictability in what is, otherwise, a volatile marketplace. Always a pioneer, in 1994, the Straus family dairy was the first to be certified organic in the Western United States. In 2010, the Straus Family Creamery became the first creamery in the nation to be Non-GMO Project Verified. Straus Family Creamery bases business decisions upon environmental and ecological considerations, grounded in sustainable, organic family farming. It does this for the health and well-being of the company, farmers, employees and the community it serves.

JOB OBJECTIVE:  Support the SFC mission to help sustain family farming while building brand awareness/brand equity through an integrated communications strategy that shares the SFC brand story, advocates for family farms and educates audiences about relevant, mission related issues.        

SCOPE:  The Communications Manager will develop a communications plan while directly managing communication activities that promote, enhance, and protect the Straus brand reputation and support the Mission to sustain family farming through advocacy and education.  Responsibilities will include the co-development and implementation of public relations, social media, conferences and advocacy activities. This individual will report to the VP of marketing, but will work closely with CEO and founder as well as SFC’s content editor. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Consistently present SFC values, and support SFC mission in all communications and presentations
• Manage the communications activities of the organization, including media relations, public relations, social media and content for conferences, panel discussions & events
• Develop and maintain media contacts on a national, as well as local basis
• Respond to media requests for information and facilitate media interviews
• Implement crisis and issues communications plans
• Assist executive team with event appearances, speeches, and industry-related activities
• Advise and assist executives in developing communications strategies to drive the organization’s goals and objectives; develops messages to implement strategies.
• Develop company web site content - responsibilities include updating content, writing new content, expanding the scope and reach of web site and managing website metrics
• Manage company’s consumer newsletter -  responsibilities include selecting newsletter themes, writing content, and distribution as well as maintaining consumer e-mail list
• Manage company social media, including Facebook and Twitter - responsibilities include developing & posting content, developing & managing social media campaigns, and identifying other venues for communications such as blogs and podcasts
• Assist with creamery tours and coordination of activities between the creamery and dairies
• Must comply with all health, safety, security and emergency requirements that are communicated to you, whether established by their manager, by the company or by law
• Must work in a safe manner and communicate any safety hazard to a member of management
• Must comply with all Company policies communicated to you through your Employee Manual, trainings, team huddles, notice boards or other postings, or by a member of management
• Must participate in weekly team meetings, biweekly huddles,  safety meetings and other Company meetings as requested
• Must ensure work is produced in the most sustainable manner
• Must maintain excellent attendance
• Other duties as requested

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Copywriting and copy-editing experience required
• Media relations experience required
• Experience managing & developing website & social media content
• Strong public relations skills
• Ability to identify and effectively address complex issues in a timely manner
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels in the company 
• Efficient and accurate with details
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to adapt to change
• Effective time management skills
• Public speaking experience a plus
• Proficient in MS Office Software

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended periods of sitting
• Short periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and stooping, turning the head and torso, reaching, grasping, bending and flexing the arms, legs, wrists, hands, and fingers  – repetitive at times
• Extensive use of computer
• Senses of being able to see, hear and have full power of speech are required
• Ability to climb stairs
• Ability to lift, hold and/or carry 10 pounds unassisted.

The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

Compensation

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Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline