Sysco LABS Sri Lanka

THE BIG PICTURE

Sysco LABS is the captive innovation arm of Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), the world’s largest foodservice company. Sysco is a Fortune 500 company and the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare, and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 334 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended July 1, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78.8 billion.

Operating with the agility and tenacity of a tech–startup, powered by the expertise of the industry leader, Sysco LABS is perfectly poised to transform one of the world’s largest industries.

Sysco LABS’s engineering teams based out of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Austin and Houston, TX, innovate across the entire food service journey – from the enterprise grade technology that enables Sysco’s business, to the technology that revolutionizes the way that Sysco connects with restaurants and the technology that shapes the way those restaurants connect with customers.

Sysco LABS technology is present in the sourcing of food products, merchandising, storage and warehouse operations, order placement and pricing algorithms, the delivery of food and supplies to Sysco’s global network, the in-restaurant dining experience of the end-customer and much more.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Director - Public Relations, Corporate Communications & Brand at Sysco LABS, you will oversee five primary areas: Public Relations, Industry Engagement, Corporate Branding and Reputation Management, Lateral and University Engagement, and Internal Engagement. Your role will require a creative and strategic approach to ensure our messaging resonates across all audience groups.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Relations and Industry Engagement:

Develop and implement comprehensive public relations strategies to enhance Sysco LABS' visibility and reputation within the industry
Act as the primary spokesperson for Sysco LABS, representing the company in media interactions, industry panels, and conferences
Build and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders, journalists, and influencers
Identify and capitalize on opportunities to position Sysco LABS as a thought leader in the tech and corporate sectors
Manage crisis communication plans and respond effectively to public relations challenges

Corporate Branding and Reputation Management:

Lead the development and execution of strategies to enhance the public perception of Sysco LABS
Oversee external marketing efforts, including social media and public relations, to maintain a consistent and positive brand image

Corporate Communications:

Oversee the creation and dissemination of corporate communications, ensuring alignment with company values and objectives
Develop messaging for internal and external audiences, including press releases, executive speeches, newsletters, and digital content
Collaborate with leadership to ensure transparent and timely communication with employees, stakeholders, and partners

Lateral and University Engagement:

Develop initiatives to position Sysco LABS as an employer of choice among professionals in the tech industry and university students
Lead engagement efforts to attract top talent through lateral and university-focused events and campaigns

Internal Engagement:

Provide strategic direction for internal communications, fostering a positive and inclusive company culture
Collaborate with leadership to communicate the company's mission, objectives, and strategies to employees, managing expectations and engagement

Leadership and Strategic Collaboration:

Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to ensure marketing strategies meet the needs of individual business units and overall organizational goals
Serve as the primary point of contact for all marketing and communication initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and company values
Provide strategic direction for employee engagement efforts, working closely with relevant teams to foster a positive and inclusive company culture
Engage with US leadership to communicate and gain buy-in for marketing, brand, and communication strategies
Oversee the execution of marketing initiatives, ensuring the team delivers on commitments and maintains high standards of quality
Monitor and analyze market trends to adapt and refine marketing strategies

Team Leadership:

Lead and manage the marketing and communications team, providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to achieve the objectives outlined above
Foster a high-performance culture within the team, ensuring collaboration, innovation, and accountability
Evaluate team performance and identify opportunities for professional growth and development

REQUIREMENTS

Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's Degree preferred
A minimum of 12- 15 years of progressive marketing experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

BENEFITS

US dollar-linked compensation
Performance-based annual bonus
Performance rewards and recognition
Agile Benefits - special allowances for Health, Wellness & Academic purposes
Paid birthday leave
Team engagement allowance
Comprehensive Health & Life Insurance Cover - extendable to parents and in-laws
Overseas travel opportunities and exposure to client environments 
Hybrid work arrangement