Our customers are supermarkets in food retail, and there will always be a need for fresh produce for their shelves. Working within the food processing industry means you are part of day to day living for millions of people across the UK.
Our Production Operatives work within our factory, preparing fresh produce from the straight from the field to fulfil customer orders. No previous experience of working within a food processing environment is required, as full training will be provided. However, if you have any relevant or relatable experience, please do highlight this on your application.
We are looking for a ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to learn something new! There are plenty of development opportunities available that can see you progress your career. We do so much more than “just sort carrots” - what is involved may come as a surprise to you!
Our ideal candidate will:

• Genuinely want to work – the food and drink industry needs reliable people who have a desire to work
• Have good hand-eye coordination
• Have a quality focus and attention to detail
• Happy to work in a fast-paced, time focused environment
• Have reasonable physical capabilities due to the manual nature of the work
• Be able to work in an environment that can be on the cold side
• Result driven team work ethics

Whilst we have many different nationalities in our workforce, and welcome applications from all and can support with some language translation, a basic understanding of English is required.
What does the job involve?

• Staffing the production lines
• Quality control of incoming fresh produce
• Grading and sizing produce
• Preparing certain produce by hand
• Working within our Core, Prep and Ready to Eat production areas
• Weighing, labelling, packing
• Stacking finished produce onto pallets
• Other duties and responsibilities once training has been completed, such as TROPOS use, Transferrer using MHE and food safe chemical usage

What is in it for you?

• Working Monday to Friday 06:00-14:30 (40 hours per week)
• PPE provided including safety boots
• 29 days holiday (full time, pro rata for part timers)
• Set shifts with weekend off
• Pension enrolment after 3 months
• Enhanced Sick Pay after 12 months service (subject to conditions)
• Free onsite parking
• Opportunities for those showing interest or aptitude to progress to machine or forklift roles, as well as a variety of internal vacancies open to all.

Full training for new starts including

• Food Safety Level 2, GMP training
• Integrity & Segregation
• HSE Policy & Culture
• Manual Handling
• Other food production specific training and support on the job
• There is also the opportunity to request or be nominated for other training, provided by the Kettle Produce Academy, including English lessons

Essentials to Consider

• Non-UK Residents will be asked to supply their Home Office Share Code prior to attending any recruitment event. This role is not on the current Skilled Worker Sponsorship List for entry to, and work in the United Kingdom for our industry. We are unable to therefore support any applications from those seeking sponsorship.

The Recruitment Process
To help you decide if we are the employer for you, we offer On-site Recruitment Events. You will be part of a small group of candidates, and we take you through a presentation on our history, the role, and some finer details. You will then get the chance to tour our factory with one of our Production team to see for yourself what goes on in the big green shed! If we mutually agree it is the right role for you, you will be contacted regarding a start date, and we will set up your induction plan.
As a business we are committed to diversity and equality across all areas in the workplace. We currently have 40 nationalities on our payroll, and we can offer language support and English lessons.
Where could your future lie?
Many people come in at Production Operative level and work towards promotion to Machine Operator if they have an interest in the mechanical/engineering side of the business. This in turn can lead to Machine Controller and Technician roles, or even an opportunity to join the Engineering team.
Others may move into Quality Assurance roles, or move into a corporate role via a Modern Apprenticeship or promotion.
If you have forklift experience or would like to step into this area of the business, our Production Supply Operative role is an ideal progression step and, we can even offer Stand In roles so you can ‘try before you buy’!
So yes, there are progression opportunities for everyone who has the drive and ambition to make a career at Kettle Produce!
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £11.55-£14.44 per hour
Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Language training provided
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• For Non UK Residents - please provide your share code and date of birth to enable us to review your Right to Work Status.
• Have you worked at Kettle Produce previously, either directly or via an agency?
• How will you travel to work?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person