Job Description

Job Category: Marketing, Brand and Merchandising
:
PR and Social Media Manager
65,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 5)
Location: Manchester/Scunthorpe (hybrid working - typically two to three days per week spent across our Manchester and Scunthorpe offices, with at least one day each week based in Scunthorpe)
Co-op Wholesale is growing, and we're looking for people who want to shape what comes next. As our PR and Social Media Manager, you'll lead our PR and social strategy and help build our reputation with partners, suppliers, and journalists. You'll tell the stories that show who we are, what we can offer, and how we support the people and businesses we work with.
You'll own our brand presence across trade media, press, LinkedIn and other social channels, helping people understand who we are, what we stand for, and how we support our partners to thrive. You'll also lead and support a small, talented team who play a big part in bringing our story to life every day.
Why this role matters
We're building something big at Co-op Wholesale. With a refreshed structure and exciting plans ahead, we're creating new opportunities to strengthen our proposition for our independent retailers, key accounts, and a growing corporate client base. To get there, we need to keep building our reputation as a reliable, progressive and partner-led wholesale business, who are focussed on doing the right thing for our partners and their communities.
The stories you shape will play an important role in how the market sees us. You'll help build trust, raise our profile and give our brand a consistent voice across all platforms. This is your chance to bring new ideas to life and make a real impact across Co-op Wholesale. Be part of it.
What you'll do

• Lead our PR and social strategy, making sure our messages are clear, consistent, and aligned to our brand
• Build strong relationships with trade media and industry voices, securing coverage that supports our reputation
• Create and oversee social content that grows our visibility across LinkedIn and other social channels
• Shape partner stories, case studies, and thought-leadership content that highlights the impact of Co-op Wholesale
• Manage issues and crisis communications, making sure we respond quickly, clearly, and effectively
• Support and coach senior leaders for media interviews and external events
• Lead and develop our PR Officer and Assistant Social Media Manager colleagues
• Use insight and reporting to understand campaign performance and guide future activity

What you'll bring

• Strong experience in PR and/or social media at a strategic level
• Confidence working with media and managing reactive or sensitive issues
• Great writing skills and a natural ability to tell clear, engaging stories
• The ability to work at pace and build strong relationships with senior colleagues
• Experience leading people and supporting others in their development
• A proactive, positive approach to shaping narratives and brand reputation

Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we're owned by our members. And because we're owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you're not just taking a job, you're joining a movement. We're an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we're powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you'll also receive:

• Private healthcare
• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream - early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you'll belong
We're building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.
We're proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we'll support you.
Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion
As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.

Skills Required