Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Your Job

Are you a skilled communicator with a passion for making a meaningful impact? Join our team at Cedar Springs as the Communications & Public Affairs Manager, where you’ll be a vital part of our mill leadership team, offering expert guidance on communications and public affairs matters.

In this role, you’ll support our production and operations leaders, ensuring clear and effective communication both internally and externally. Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs and Communications for our containerboard and cellulose operations, with a strong connection to our Mill Vice President/General Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to shape our internal communication strategy while also engaging with our community and local government. Your time will be primarily focused on internal communication (70%), with additional responsibilities including public affairs (25%) and proactive/reactive media relations (5%). Plus, you’ll have the chance to lend your expertise to other GP facilities in the region, collaborating closely with our corporate team. If you’re ready to make an impact and drive positive change, we want to hear from you!

Our Team

Georgia-Pacific’s Cedar Springs containerboard operation is the largest of the company’s five containerboard sites, located on more than 1,000 acres in Southwest Georgia. The mill converts timber to wood chips and then produces products that are used to make corrugated packaging (boxes). The mill is situated just a short distance from the Florida and Alabama state lines. Located in Early County, Cedar Springs is 28 miles from thriving Dothan, Alabama, and less than a 2-hour drive to the white sand Gulf beaches.

To learn more about Georgia-Pacific’s packaging business, please visit: www.gppackaging.com and view the video How Paper Is Made.

Location: This position is a site-based position in Cedar Springs, Georgia; relocation is offered for this position.

What You Will Do

As a dynamic Public Affairs and Communications Leader at Cedar Springs, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the following key areas:

• Internal Communication: Fast-paced, proactive, and strategic internal communication is a critical priority and need at Cedar Springs. Leaders at the mill depend on the public affairs manager for counsel and measurable execution of communication plans. Keeping a sizable team with varied audiences connected to important goals and strategy is a must.
• Public Affairs/Community Relations: This role will have the opportunity to position the mill as a good neighbor, outstanding community partner, and preferred employer in all areas of Southwest Georgia and Southeast Alabama. The opportunities to create meaningful relationships with community leaders and influencers, develop and nurture strategic partnerships, and work with governmental agencies will be plentiful.
• Media Relations: Telling the story and being the voice of the Cedar Springs mill is important. Pitching stories to the media and responding with answers when asked will be another priority.

Here are some ways you’ll get to use and grow your knowledge and skills:

• Develop, implement, and manage a strategic employee communications program at the mill, including use of best practices from the broader GP public affairs and communications team across other GP mills and in Atlanta, the home of GP’s corporate headquarters.
• Establish strong relationships with community members including local government officials, regulatory agencies, businesses, and community groups. Coordinate external issues engagement and activities with GP legal, governmental affairs, and the corporate communications teams.
• As part of the mill leadership team, advise mill management of issues, attitudes, and opinions both inside and outside the company that could affect mill operations. This includes establishing a climate of cooperation with employees and implementing or helping support necessary programs to maintain GP’s position as a leader in a highly competitive industry.
• Establish and maintain the means to detect signals of company vulnerability in external and internal environments.
• Develop a crisis communications plan for the mill and serve as a member of its crisis management team.
• Develop strong relationships with reporters and editors who cover the community/region and participate in the process of gathering and disseminating news. This includes serving as company spokesperson where appropriate and facilitating interviews by providing background, details, and explanation.
• In support of the local community and to help create long-term value for our business, community, and customers, help develop and implement investment and volunteer opportunities for the mill that are aligned with the GP’s focus areas of education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Undergraduate degree (journalism, communications, or public relations concentration preferred).
• Minimum of 7 years of public relations or related experience.
• Experience implementing successful internal communication programs with measurable results.
• Experience with communications strategy and programs, including adapting and implementing best practices of other communication programs.
• Excellent writing, editing, and general communication skills, demonstrating at least 4 years of writing and editing in a communications role.
• Experience with news media and community relations.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Exposure to a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with regulatory and permitting issues.
• Involvement with community groups such as the chamber of commerce or other local business groups.
• Knowledge and experience working with elected officials and appointed government officials.
• Experience working with SharePoint and other web-based communication tools.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

Georgia-Pacific LLC is a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products, and much more. Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day – to make everyday products even better.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee and their families to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength – focusing on overall well-being so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, and health savings accounts.
• Life insurance, ADD, and disability coverage.
• Retirement plans and paid vacation/time off.
• Educational assistance, infertility assistance, paid parental leave, and adoption assistance (eligibility criteria apply).

If you have questions about what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf.

Learn more here