Maple Leaf Foods announced that it will be separating into two independent public companies.  The new Pork Company, Canada Packers, will be unleashed as a world leading organization producing sustainable meats. This will provide both businesses with a sharper focus to execute their own growth strategy and both are committed to best-in-class strategies. 

Canada Packers will be a leader in sustainability produced, premium quality and value-added products.  Canada Packers is building its  team, and this is an exciting opportunity to join a premium company that is unlocking significant growth potential.

Our job is to make great food.

Canada Packers will embrace Maple Leaf Foods strong values-based culture, where our people are deeply engaged in work that is purposeful, fast-paced, and challenging.  We cultivate an open, non-bureaucratic and inclusive workplace that fosters safety and transparency, along with individual leadership and accountability. Each team member has a voice and plays an active role in helping all of us achieve our goals with passion and discipline. We support one another to grow professionally, to learn new skills and to take on challenging experiences in the spirit of continuous improvement.

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Manager, Communications will be responsible for building and managing strategic partnerships with media and agency partners, upholding the reputation of Canada Packers by proactively delivering meaningful communications to various audiences including consumers and customers through strategic public relations campaigns.

The candidate will possess strong internal communications experience with the ability to effectively communicate and engage with the Canada Packers team. You will work cross functionally and build strong working relationships with key subject matter experts demonstrating leadership to effectively implement strategic internal communications programs that will drive engagement.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who will show leadership in their daily interactions with our external media and agency partners. The candidate will successfully develop, and project manage a variety of communications campaigns, overseeing and managing the budget for the programs, including sustainability and marketing communications. The individual will also create meaningful and relevant content with internal audiences that will inform and raise awareness to key organizational strategies and priorities.

To be successful, the candidate will have the ability to balance strategic thinking, functional knowledge of the business and manage multiple stakeholders across internal and external, with the ongoing demands of leading, planning and executing key deliverables on a timely basis, managing the budget, in a fast-paced setting.

This role demands a combination of superior writing, strategic thinking, planning, leadership skills, a track record of flawless execution and delivery with an exceptional understanding of public affairs, media relations and internal communications.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by May 27. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

External Communications

• Manage external media and agency partners in developing public relations campaigns for a variety of initiatives which include the creation of project execution plans, development of communications materials, budget management and ensuring the successful execution of key deliverables.
• Develop external corporate communication materials such as press releases, key messages, Q&As, spokesperson briefing documents, media pitches, media lists, web content and corporate fact sheets.
• Oversee contract management and relationship with Canada Packers key corporate communications vendors. Negotiate competitive contracts with vendors ensuring cost savings and ensure services provided accurately meet the needs of the department (e.g. multimedia distribution and video production services, daily media monitoring services and news release wire distribution services). 
• Monitor and respond to issues of corporate concern including drafting key messages, corporate responses and post-issue media and analysis reports.
• Provide strategic communications and material support to Canada Packers senior leaders for business engagements, including media analysis, briefing documents, memos and slide deck content.
• Build and maintain proactive relationships with key media, manage and respond to media inquiries, including media relations for crisis, issues and reputational management situations.
• Support social media strategies and content for external and internal platforms for matters that influence communication and brand reputation.
• Manage daily media monitoring and distribution, including analyzing media reports, distributing sensitive articles to internal departments and employees.
• Develop quarterly earnings media report for the leadership team.
• Provide support to the leadership team in crisis and issues management situations, including development of proactive and reactive strategies that support media and consumer engagement.
• End-to-end flawless event management of high-priority corporate events employee engagement events.

Internal Communications

• Manage and support internal communications within the organization to enhance team members’ awareness and understanding of corporate priorities and initiatives.
• Develop and execute highly confidential change management projects within the organization with thoughtful communication plans and consultation to support cross-functional teams throughout their change needs.
• Create a strong communication bridge from corporate office to hourly team members ensuring awareness of corporate initiatives and consistency of messaging and tone.
• Actively amplify and promote Canada Packers strategic initiatives with internal audiences via engaging communication campaigns.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations or journalism
• Several years of experience in external and/or internal communications
• Superior writing, editing and content production skills
• Proven ability to create digital corporate content for a wide range of audiences and formats
• Must be proactive and performance driven, have a bias for action and be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to build mutually beneficial relationships
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities
• Ability to identify opportunities and solve complex problems
• Excellent judgement and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to understand complex business information and simplify into engaging, meaningful and relevant content
• Demonstrated record of excellence in collaborating with others and proven ability to interact effectively with senior leaders
• Highly creative with a passion for continuous learning
• Experience in using traditional and new, innovative communication tools to effectively deliver engaging content, stories and messages; must have strong Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent project management skills and superior attention to detail. Ability to manage and deliver on multiple projects and competing priorities
• Ability to work independently, with self-awareness to seek coaching, support and advice

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• A hybrid work model that embraces remote work for eligible roles, helping team members achieve work-life balance—combining the best of both spending time working remotely, benefitting from focus time, and purposeful collaboration in the office setting. 
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

 

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer:  Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board.  Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

#LI-Hybrid