Community Impact Manager

**Monday to Friday 8.30 – 5pm but will need to have some flexibility to accommodate our 24hr operation. Ideally based at our Sittingbourne HQ 3 days a week, with some travel to our shops and community partners.
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About the Role

At COOK, we’re searching for a committed and people-focused Community Impact Manager to lead our Community Kitchen (CK) initiative and help us build caring connected communities wherever we operate.  Working within a close-knit team that rolls up its sleeves to get the job done, you’ll manage the daily operations of our Community Kitchen, empowering and inspiring others to join us on our mission to bring people together around our food.

Monday to Friday 8.30 – 5pm but will need to have some flexibility to accommodate our 24hr operation. Ideally based at our Sittingbourne HQ 3 days a week, with some travel to our shops and community partners.

About COOK

COOK is a pioneering frozen food company.  Since 1997 we’ve been making remarkable food for your freezer, prepared by hand at our Kitchens in Kent (savoury) and Somerset (puddings) using the same ingredients and techniques you would at home. It means our food looks and tastes homemade - maybe even a bit better.

We’re market leaders and (more importantly) our food tastes incredible. We have over 100 shops, 1000 concession partners and a rapidly growing online business.

We’re independent (family-owned) and always will be because it allows us to do things the right way, not the fast way. We believe in business as a force for good in society and have certified as one of the UK’s first B Corporations to help us measure what matters when it comes to our impact on our environment, our people and our community.

We need someone who:

  Shares our purpose*. You’re aligned with COOK’s purpose to nourish People & Planet.

  Loves people and community*. You thrive on building meaningful partnerships. Creating a collaborative, uplifting environment comes naturally to you.

 Is a curious doer*: Your growth mindset and drive for tangible impact means you’re always exploring better ways to nourish our communities and can inspire people to come with you.

  Is data driven*: You’re confident with analysis, reporting, and data-based decision-making to drive positive, measurable change.

  Is hands-on and adaptable*. We’re a small team with big ambitions, so you’re ready to jump in wherever needed to get the job done.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead on Community Kitchen wherever COOK is present, overseeing its day-to-day operations and supporting its growth into a flagship impact project. This includes

*   training, guiding and supporting shops, new and old, as they implement Community Kitchen.

*   supporting retail teams to set up & grow impactful partnerships with local charities & community groups to build community over COOK food.

*   growing the internal and external profile of Community Kitchen through collecting and sharing inspiring stories.

*   Managing, analysing and reporting on all aspects of our community work, including Community Kitchen, 1 Feeds 2, Care Card, surplus meals distributed locally to our kitchens, vouchers, Random Acts of Kindness, Community Concessions & Charity Discounts. This requires an ability to manage a variety of data sources (Qlik, Q Pulse, Wufoo, etc).

*   Supporting shops and charitable partners to host community events (food, kit & logistics).

*   Work with charitable partner Caring Hands and others locally to support community-building efforts in Sittingbourne, and redistribution of surplus food.

Manage the community inbox responding quickly and helpfully to a variety of enquiries such as voucher requests, sponsorship requests, and community events.

In collaboration with the Concessions team, oversee the community concessions.

Help to engage everyone at COOK in our purpose (Nourishing People & Planet) and the actions we are taking to deliver upon this.

Support other Impact Projects where appropriate such as data collection and analysis of our supply chain’s social and environmental performance.

Why join us

 Meaningful Work*: COOK is a certified B Corp, and we’re on a mission to make a positive impact on both people and the planet.

 Supportive Team*: Join a small, dedicated team in a complex and growing business where collaboration is key, and your work directly contributes to our purpose.

 Room to Grow*: This role is ideal for someone looking to drive impact, develop their leadership skills, and grow with a purpose-led company.

Other bits

Excellent Benefits include 6% annual project share, 30% staff discount and birthdays off, Cookie Jar, Smart Spending discounts on leading brands, and much more.

Our vision for COOK has always been that we are a place where EVERYONE is welcome. We want everyone to feel like they belong at COOK. We all have different roles, different abilities and different personalities. By collaborating we can do remarkable things. Whatever your story, if you would like to grow with COOK please apply.

INDHP