Director of Communications, Apeel Sciences
$165-185k
+ Equity
More information about location
Plant-based edible produce coating
Job no longer available
Plant-based edible produce coating
201-500 employees
Job no longer available
$165-185k
+ Equity
More information about location
201-500 employees
Company mission
Apeel Science's mission is to work with nature to reduce food waste and create abundance for all.
Role
Who you are
- The ideal candidate will have experience introducing innovation, influencing decision makers in the food system, and a proven track record of using external communications to drive business goals
- A minimum of 7+ years of public relations and external communications experience, preferably in the fresh produce, food technology or grocery industry
- An in depth understanding of the North American and European trade media ecosystem, and experience successfully activating existing relationships within it
- Expertise using traditional and emerging communication tools and channels across geographies
- Strong executive communications experience supporting commercial functions within a growing global organization
- Exceptional writing abilities, including spelling and grammar skills, with an editor’s eye for detail
- A strategic mindset coupled with an eagerness to solve problems
- Team oriented and strong collaborator
What the job involves
- Apeel is looking for a communications leader to drive our commercial communications strategy, trade communications, digital communications and partner communications
- Reporting into our Vice President of Marketing and working directly with Apeel business leaders, this individual will be responsible for maximizing global business impact by growing the company’s reputation as a partner in solving problems in our food system with innovative solutions for fresh produce suppliers, grocery retailers and key opinion leaders in the food and sustainability space
- This role will oversee external storytelling in media, partner communication, digital communications, and event strategy and participation
- In doing so, they will increase visibility with priority B2B audiences and ensure that Apeel participates in conversations that will advance the perception of the value of our solutions
- Own both proactive and reactive trade media engagement, understanding Apeel’s business priorities, brand story, and industry trends to drive compelling, audience-relevant media coverage
- Develop and implement comprehensive and creative external communications programs with our Marketing team to increase preference for Apeel’s plant-based protection and intelligence solutions through media engagement and strategic event participation
- Help connect key Apeel executives with the industries they serve, leveraging our owned channels, story placement, social media, and speaking opportunities to build their thought-leadership profiles
- Continue to drive Apeel’s affiliation with globally recognized partners and opinion leaders, as well as representation in corporate awards
- Oversee all digital and event planning needs
Our take
Food and vegetables are the most wasted foodstuff on the planet, with reports suggesting up to 60% of them end up in landfill. This is an issue for the global distribution of food, national supply chains, farmers and sellers, and consumers themselves - but it’s one that so far has proven intractable. Apeel, however, has developed a novel solution: a plant-based, invisible, flavorless, and odorless protective coating that at least doubles the shelf life of produce.
It’s leaps and bounds ahead of single use plastics and pesticides, and it’s won Apeel substantial market confidence. Since its founding a decade ago it’s received regular investment from sources as laureled as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, and Oprah Winfrey - it’s now a Unicorn twice over.
With all this momentum, Apeel are nevertheless progressing at a modest and steady pace - the product applies to just avocados, asparagus, lemons and limes as of yet. Apeel's partnerships and scope, however, are broad and global: Food retailers across the US and Europe are seeing impressive results, and Apeel will be rolling out to the broader Americas and Africa with its 2023 funding. It’s remarkable progress, taken at a commendably steady pace, in a hugely important sector - it's easy to see why Apeel is making waves.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
-2% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 8 rounds)
Aug 2021
$250m
SERIES E
Oct 2020
$30m
LATE VC
Total funding: $640.2m
Company benefits
- Competitive Healthcare and Medical Benefits in Every Region of Global Operation
- Ownership and Equity
- Country-Specific Pension Schemes, Including 401(k) Match in the U.S
- Mental and Physical Virtual Wellness Options
Company HQ
Goleta, CA
Leadership
James Rogers
(CEO & Founder)Started Apeel whilst pursuing a material sciences PhD at UC Santa Barnara. Is additionally on the board of trustees for the Santa Barbara Foundation, and a young global leader with the World Economic Forum.
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