2 Sisters to create 136 jobs at Derby site
The site currently employs 500 workers and focuses on cooked chicken products. It was previously owned by S&A Foods before being acquired in December 2015 by 2 Sisters and undergoing a multi-million pound upgrade. No details about the retail deal have been disclosed.
Of the 136 new jobs, 10 will be apprenticeships and the business is working with Derby Business College to fill the roles. Kerry Bentley, chief executive of Derby Business College, explained the working relationship.
“We’ve developed a great relationship with 2 Sisters Derby and together we’ve learned that identifying the right people first time allows their career to grow,” she said. “We’ve placed people on the shop floor that have quickly progressed to senior roles within the business.
“Derby has developed an innovative four day induction programme that will provide new starters with a collection of NVQ level two qualifications as well as an opportunity to get underneath the business, taste products and expand their broader knowledge of food manufacturing.”
The business has held eight open days in Derby over the past month to help fill the positions.
Rob Hughes, site human resources manager, said: “Our change programme continues to progress at pace and we’ve reached the next chapter of our development plan and we’d encourage anybody who is currently looking for employment or a career change to consider the food industry as an exciting option.
“We’ve met almost 200 people at our open days during the past 12 months and we will be working very closely with Derby Business College and Job Centre Plus to fill these forthcoming vacancies.”
Billy Storer, site director, said: “Derby is a great place to work and the business has invested in the very latest production line technology which has provided us with a great platform to ramp up volume and develop new cooked chicken products.
“This is an exciting time for Derby and we are looking for fresh blood to expand our team, from management right through to school leavers.”
2 Sisters Food Group parent company Boparan Holdings recently announced that it will be bringing the US fast food brand Slim Chickens to the UK while its poultry division has been the centre of allegations regarding food safety breaches at its West Bromwich site. An undercover investigation by The Guardian and ITV led to the temporary closure of the West Bromwich plant and a parliamentary committee meeting which saw 2 Sisters boss Ranjit Singh Boparan questioned extensively
