Media Public Relations Specialist

Makita is a worldwide leader in the professional power tool industry. Over the past 100 years, we have built a reputation for using the finest raw materials, the most advanced manufacturing equipment, and the most rigorous quality testing in the industry. Headquartered in La Mirada CA, Makita U.S.A, with offices in Reno NV, Wilmer TX, and Flowery Branch GA, has been bringing Makita's best-in-class engineering advantage to professional power tool users in America since 1970.

Job Summary:Join our team in Southern California and create PR plans and strategies that amplify the Makita Story across online and offline channels.

As the Media and Public Relations Specialist for Makita U.S.A., you will use your attention to detail and outgoing personality to get (and pitch) stories to press contacts and media influencers. Work with our growing La Mirada-based team in Southern California to create compelling stories and strategies for Makita’s expanding line of industry-leading cordless power tools, outdoor power equipment, vacuums, lighting, job site apparel, radios, and speakers as well as an expansive line of premium accessories, and more. Your efforts will be a key part of our team’s daily efforts to increase awareness and drive demand for Makita.

Pitching stories is a snap after you’ve run the industry’s best-in-class tools and equipment – and at Makita, you’ll learn the industry and get plenty of hands-on experience, including instruction at our world-class training facilities.

Across categories, Makita products have industry-leading power and performance but with lower noise, less vibration, reduced weight, and superior ergonomics. This combination of performance and comfort is unique in the category, giving users of all types – from pro contractors to DIYers – a complete solution that helps them get work done faster and more efficiently. Makita users win with premium quality, legendary durability, and precision engineering.

Salary: $65,000 – 80,000 DOE

Essential Job Duties:Working with the senior communications manager, you will be a primary and co-primary contact for press contacts and media influencers.Learn the industry and proper use of Makita products and use the knowledge to pitch new products.Get the story on the Makita Advantage (premium quality, legendary durability, precision engineering).Keep the Makita brand in front of ALL the media.Work with the team on improving product presentations on top product launches to the media.Attend and work at industry trade shows and engage with the media.Manage product samples for review by social media influencers (responsibility includes ordering and tracking).Propose media sample plans: Work with Makita product and purchasing personnel to select focused products and implement the distribution of sample campaigns.Build and maintain targeted media lists and nurture relationships with key press and influencer contacts.

Additional Job Duties:Work within budgets and timelines to achieve specific goals set forth and create content including story pitches and press releases around company initiatives including new product releases, live events including trade shows, and corporate news.Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of PR campaigns and communicate insights to management.Work with marketing managers to plan live events on social media channels and manage execution (including select on-site events).Protect the brand while actively promoting the brand to Makita’s target audiences across legacy and social media channels.Compile tracked coverage in the form of a report, possibly through a third-party application.Constantly implement creative, consistent vehicles that fully support the company’s prime objectives regarding professional users, products, and focus.(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Other Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Skills Required:Previous working experience as Public Relations Specialist 4-7 yearsBS/BA in PR, communications, journalism, or similar relevant fieldHands-on experience with a variety of different PR campaignsExcellent writing and editing skills, from presentations to press releases.Experience with diverse social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.High level of detail and follow-upAn outgoing, convincing personality to be able to get/sell the story (negotiation skills)Take an interest in our industry to learn the products, users, applications, etc.Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should know about Microsoft Outlook Contact Management systems; Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat. Knowledge of collaborative tools on Microsoft Teams and SharePoint is preferred but not required.Excellent critical thinking, interpersonal, communication, time-management, and problem-solving skillsAbility to work with a team.Organizational skillsPresentation skills: organize information and present it to both internal and external audiences.The ability to work under pressure and with constantly changing priorities.The ability to always represent the company professionally.Ability to do the needed functions of the company.Continue to be challenged and motivated to always be the best in the industry.

Supervisory Responsibility:This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:This position works in an open office setting full-time (not hybrid) that is quiet, fast-paced, and fosters continuous learning while operating under high demand/volume.

Travel:Domestic travel is required for this position, ranging from two to 6 events per year.

Education and/or Experience Desired:Previous working experience as a Public Relations Specialist, 4-7 years required.BS/BA in PR, communications, journalism, or similar relevant field

Disclaimer:This description is based on management's assessment of the requirements and functions of the job as of the date this description was prepared. It is a general guideline for managers and employees, but it does not intend to be an exhaustive list of all the elements of the job. Management reserves the right to modify the description at any time, or to vary the duties and responsibilities of the job on a temporary or indefinite basis to meet production, scheduling, or staffing needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement:The Company is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. Company policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, veteran status, military service, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, genetic information, medical (including genetic characteristics or cancer diagnosis), actual or perceived sexual orientation, or any consideration protected by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is prohibited. Additionally, the Company will provide registered domestic partners with all rights and benefits as required by Law. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual. The Company is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities.