Operational Communications Specialist

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent retail cooperative is seeking an Operational Communications Specialist to lead communications to B2B partners. The role involves the delivery of operational updates, managing performance metrics, and mentoring a team member. Candidates should have strong B2B communication experience, copywriting skills, and knowledge of audience segmentation. This position offers a salary of up to £45,000 and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Annual bonus

28 days holiday increasing to 32

Pension with 10% employer contributions

30% discount on Co-op products

Virtual healthcare services

24/7 colleague support service

Training and development support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in communications and operations within a B2B context.
• Strong skills in copywriting and editing.
• Ability to segment audiences for targeted messaging.

Responsibilities

• Own planning and delivery of operational communications.
• Translate internal updates into partner-friendly messages.
• Manage and mentor Operational Communications Co-ordinator.

Skills

Experience in B2B communications

Copywriting and editing skills

Understanding of audience segmentation

Collaboration with senior leaders

Tools

CMS/CRM systems

Job description

Operational Communications Specialist
Up to £45,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 6A)
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 help shape what comes next. As an Operational Communications Specialist in our brand-new Customer Experience team, you’ll lead how we communicate operational updates, from supply chain changes to compliance and service improvements, to our diverse B2B partners. We’ll look to you to turn sometimes complex internal updates into clear, timely communications that make sense for everyone.

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 they receive the right messages at the right time, helping our business run smoothly and our partners stay confident in us. This is where you come in.

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

• Own the end-to-end planning and delivery of operational communications across trading, supply chain, compliance, and service changes
• Translate updates from internal teams into partner-friendly messaging, prioritising urgent communications
• Tailor messages for segmented audience across different fascia and partner types
• Align operational messaging with strategic campaigns and leadership narratives
• Maintain a communications framework and calendar to manage message flow and avoid overload
• Monitor performance metrics and continuously improve communication effectiveness
• Line manage and mentor our talented Operational Communications Co-ordinator
• Stay up to date with legislation changes and what they mean for internal teams

What you’ll bring

• Experience working across communications and operations within a B2B environment
• Experience using CMS/CRM systems to manage data
• Strong copywriting and editing skills
• An understanding of audience segmentation and messaging targeting
• Good collaboration skills, especially when working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams

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.