Bakkavor advertises for 40 soups and sauces staff

The food manufacturer is looking to hire roles for cooking operatives, filling operatives, spice room operatives, and roles in hygiene and dispatch. Both day and night shift workers are being recruited.

The new workers would help produce sauces including those for pasta and stir-fries, as well as gravies, stocks and custards. They would also help create Bakkavor soups, including its tomato and basil, carrot and coriander and broccoli and Stilton flavours.

‘Exciting period’​

Bakkavor Meals head of human resources Werner Bezuidenhout said: “This is an exciting period for our business. The diverse range of roles we have available provides people in the local area with a great opportunity to work in the fast moving and exciting fresh prepared foods industry. ​

“We are looking for people with a ‘can-do’​ attitude to join our friendly team across day and night shifts with a range of skills and experience.”​

The latest recruitment drive meant Bakkavor has advertised for 1,200 new jobs since November 2015. In June, the company advertised for 470 new roles​ in its deli and desserts businesses. The recruitment drive meant Bakkavor Desserts, in Newark, Nottinghamshire, increased the size of its workforce by 22%.

‘Well placed for the future’​

The growing size of the manufacturer’s workforce came after the company reported a 3.2% rise in its second-quarter sales​ last month. The firm said it was “well placed for the future”​, despite the economic uncertainty surrounding the Brexit vote.

However, Bakkavor had been the subject of protests from the GMB union​ last month, as part of a row over changes to workers’ pay and working hours. The company planned to extend the working day until 3am in its houmous-making division and cut employee working hours.

The union said the planned changes would mean staff received £14.40 less a week.