PR Officer

PR Officer
£49,200 plus great benefits (Work Level 6A)
Location: Manchester/Scunthorpe (hybrid working – typically two 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 help shape what comes next. As a PR Officer in our Customer Experience (CX) team, you’ll deliver proactive media relations, press activity, and content that strengthens our voice in the market. Working closely with our PR and Social Manager, you’ll bring our brand to life in trade media, raise awareness of our commercial propositions, and position Co-op Wholesale as a trusted, progressive voice in the wholesale, franchise and convenience space.

This is a really varied role where you’ll manage day-to-day media engagement, develop stories, support press campaigns, and respond to media enquiries. You’ll also play a key part in our awards strategy and case study pipeline, creating engaging content that showcases the impact we make for our partners.

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 do that, we need to make sure we’re protecting and strengthening the reputation of our brand, and positioning ourselves in the best way possible.

This is your chance to help bring new ideas to life and make a real impact across Co-op Wholesale. Be part of it.

What you’ll do

• Build and manage relationships with key trade and B2B media, securing regular and relevant coverage that serves our wider corporate objectives of awareness and growth
• Manage press office activity namely store launches, franchise openings, corporate announcements, and contract extensions, handling inbound enquiries and ensuring accurate, timely responses
• Support with reactive comms and issue management in a highly professional capacity
• Develop press releases, media statements, photography briefs, editorial pitches, trade features and thought leadership content aligned to our brand strategy
• Help deliver and shape integrated media campaigns that drive awareness of new initiatives, partnerships, or milestones
• Collaborate with internal teams and join working groups to uncover media-worthy stories, represent the PR team and amplify leadership voices
• Support industry award submissions and create case studies for use across media, social and events
• Help seek new media opportunities to develop Co-op Wholesale’s media presence

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in PR media relations within a B2B, retail, FMCG, or agency environment
• Experience supporting issue communications and managing media protocols under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create strong media copy and respond confidently to journalist queries
• The ability to spot a good story and an understanding of what makes content newsworthy
• A proactive, positive, collaborative approach and confidence working with people at all levels of seniority

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:

• 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 teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, and our support centre is an inclusive environment where all our colleagues can thrive.

If you have a disability, we’ll make reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process. We’re also proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme - if you’re disabled and you meet the minimum criteria for this job, we’ll guarantee you an interview.

Learn more about our recruitment process at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process

Explore our commitments to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion-wellbeing

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.