Specialist I Retail Communications

Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine way back in 1883, and is still connected to those early roots as a local market. Hannaford actively seeks out farmers and producers to join our Local program which celebrates not only local foods, but the preservation of farmland, local traditions and local jobs. The connection we have to the source of our fresh foods is core to the way we do business, becoming the first major supermarket in the United States to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested.

Hannaford offers a flexible work environment, with a hybrid work expectation for Home Office based positions of being physically present in the Scarborough Home Office 3 days a week. This expectation serves to nourish our culture, showcase care through flexibility, and strengthen our partnerships.

The Specialist I, Retail Communications is a key contributor in ensuring the seamless delivery of Hannaford's communication strategy. Applies retail experience, expertise in digital systems and strong familiarity of Hannaford end user needs to manage and enhance scalable communication platforms that drive operational efficiency. This position serves as a pivotal liaison between content creators, IT teams, and Retail Operations leadership to guarantee the timely and accurate flow of information across the organization. As a trusted partner, this position leads the collaboration across departments to develop impactful communication initiatives that drive business success, contributing to the continued growth and innovation at Hannaford. This position partners with the Supervisor II Retail Communications to ensure capacity, blackout calendar, VOR, and portal operations are included in the scope of decisions made surrounding communications.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

o Lead the collaborative process of daily, weekly, and program-specific communications for retail, ensuring clear and consistent communication and providing engaging and informative content that supports business initiatives and ensures consistent and relevant messaging.

o Ensure that all communications align with the company's branding, messaging and tone and supports the communication strategy.

o Explore and implement innovative multimedia solutions, including new communication tools and techniques that enhance the delivery of retail communications, often representing Hannaford's business needs on cross brand/cross functional teams.

o Develop visually compelling graphics and publications for both print and digital distribution, ensuring accessibility and engagement across platforms.

o Serve as a key liaison between business units, leadership, content creators and IT teams ensuring that communication strategies are integrated into broader business operations and fosters a culture of transparency and efficiency.

o Work with project teams to provide guidance on business change communication methodologies, ensuring clear, actionable communication processes.

o Manage daily approvals and updates for content within the retail communication portal, ensuring that all retail projects and communications are executed accurately and on time.

o Provide second-level support for retail web content management processes, resolving issues and ensuring consistency in communication across the retail network.

o Analyze communication system usage and feedback data from retail locations to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in communication effectiveness and strategies.

o Oversee the Voice of Retail Feedback system, ensuring timely responses from business owners and initiating action plans to address recurring issues.

o Coordinate the execution of communication plans across various business units and brands to deliver a seamless end-user experience, optimizing the flow of information across organizational levels.

o Develop and update comprehensive training materials and technical resources for retail communication systems, ensuring users are well-equipped to manage communication tools effectively.

o Provide training and act as a subject matter expert to content creators for all managed applications.

o Assist the Supervisor of Retail Communications with various tasks such as brainstorming new initiatives, proofreading materials, and scheduling the release of communication content to maximize impact.

o Perform other duties as assigned to support the continuous improvement and innovation of retail communication practices at Hannaford.

Qualifications and Experience:

* 3-4 years as Assistant Store Manager or bachelor's degree

* 3-5 years of experience in retail, communications, digital content management, or a related field.

* Strong understanding of web-based communication systems and multimedia content creation.

* Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects with attention to detail and a commitment to meeting deadlines.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on clarity, creativity, and engagement.

* Proficiency in design software and visual content production tools is a plus.

* Ability to analyze data and provide data-driven recommendations to improve communication processes.

Skills and Abilities:

* Ability to provide direct, effective and professional feedback to those not within a direct reporting structure, and across multiple levels of the organization

* Self-directed with an ability to recognize potential problems/conflicts and adjust priorities in advance to prevent issues from delaying projects or communication delivery.

* Ability to perform effectively in complex and challenging environments - ability to handle multiple priorities

* Ability to influence without authority

* Ability to work as part of a team

* Ability to think innovatively

* Demonstrate a personal acceptance of change and the ability to adapt and drive change

* Demonstrate an ability to implement and analyze retail technology needs using consumer insights and analyzing market trends.

* Active listener with an ability to build trust across varying levels of the organization

* Ability to work with all levels of management

* Excellent organizational, planning, influence, communication and presentation skills

The Salary Range for this Position is $63,440-$95,160

Hannaford provides equal opportunity in employment to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), age, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.