Elkes Biscuits launches engineering recruitment drive

Elkes is seeking engineers to join its team as it pushes to increase its yearly output of 2.5 billion biscuits by 50% over the next 12 months.

The announcement followed news in September of last year that the manufacturer planned increase its workforce by more than 50% following major investments and ‘impressive sales growth’.

Elkes is looking to take on at least one electrical engineer and two technicians, and will consider taking on more multi skilled engineers if the “right quality candidates come forward”.​

‘7,000 years of experience’

General manager Kevin Hand said: “All 620 colleagues here are valued for the part they play in making great biscuits, and we’ve worked out we have a massive 7,000 years of experience between us all.​

“But when you’re making 53 million individual biscuits every week, we need to ensure our kit is running smoothly and will be able to take the ramp up in capacity. That’s why our engineering team is so vitally important and we would like to take on more with this particular skill set.”​

UK candidates needing to move closer to the factory will receive a reimbursement of up to £8,000 for relocation purposes, while overseas recruits can benefit from Elkes’ Sponsorship Licence which grants permission to an organisation to sponsor workers with specific skills. 

Sponsored recruits

Depending on the duration of the sponsorship license, this can result in the individual being sponsored ultimately having permanent right to remain in the UK. Sponsored recruits also get support funding for two months to help them settle in the area.

In addition to engineering roles, Elkes is on the hunt for a health safety and environment Manager and shift manufacturing managers.

Meanwhile, Hotel Chocolat has announced plans to invest £10m to expand its manufacturing plant in Royston and create 50 jobs.​​