Meat processing growth to deliver 200 Morrisons jobs

29-Apr-2014 - Last updated on 30-Apr-2014 at 10:10 GMT

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Morrisons stores are supplied by its own vertically-integrated manufacturing operations as well as external suppliers

Morrisons is expanding its meat processing factory at Winsford, Cheshire and has launched a recruitment drive for 200 new roles there, boosting the workforce by 50%.

The supermarket chain acquired the Wharton Bridge plant, which produces minced meat, meat joints and pork products, in 2012 from Vion, when the manufacturer pulled out of its UK operations.

After successfully developing it over the past two years, Morrisons said that it was now ready to increase the volumes of meat products made there.

Jobs available

Jobs available at the site, which employs just under 400 people and also supports consumers’ online meat orders, would range from production and managerial to engineering roles, the company said.

“The development for Winsford is currently in the early stages,” a spokeswoman for Morrisons told FoodManufacture.co.uk. “We’ve submitted a planning application and are currently awaiting the decision on it.”

The facility forms part of Morrisons’ network of vertically-integrated manufacturing sites, dedicated solely to supplying its own stores, in addition to its broad external supply base. The retailer directly employs more than 7,000 manufacturing personnel.

“This is a really exciting time to be joining Morrisons, as our manufacturing sites are hugely important to the business and we are continuing to invest in them,” Mark Harrison, group manufacturing director, commented in an announcement about Winsford’s development yesterday (April 29).

‘Range of roles’

“The range of roles available will hopefully appeal to anyone who might be looking for their first job, those who are returning to work or even someone who is looking to start an exciting new career.”

Stephen O’Brien, MP for the Cheshire constituency of Eddisbury, added: “The success of Morrisons in Winsford, and the creation of all these new jobs, is down to good management and the hard work, skills and training of the people of Winsford. I offer my congratulations to them on this good news.”

Councillor Mike Kennedy, mayor of Winsford town, also hailed the move as “marvellous news” and “a boost for Winsford”. “I fervently hope that this means local jobs for local people wherever possible,” he said.

For information on the latest jobs in the food and drink manufacturing industry, look no further than FoodManJobs.