Our customers are giants 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 from the field vegetables 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 it 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:

• 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
• Genuinely want to be working
• the food and drink industry needs reliable people who have a desire to work

Whilst we have 40 different nationalities on our workforce, and welcome applications from all and can support with some language translation, a basic understanding of English is desirable.

What does the job involve?

> Staffing the production lines, working with state-of-the-art machinery
> Quality control of incoming fresh produce
> Grading and sizing produce
> Preparing certain produce by hand
> Working within our Ready to Cook 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?

+ PPE provided including safety boots
+ 29 days holiday (full time, pro rata for part timers)
+ Set shifts with a choice of 3 shift patterns – full time, 3 days or 4 days
+ 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
+ A variety of internal vacancies open to all.

Training for new starts including

• Food Safety Level 2, GMP training, Integrity & Segregation, HSE Policy, 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

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.

Or 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.

Essentials to Consider

<> How will you get to site for a 06.30am start on week days, 7am at weekends? The latest finish time is 10pm. Please consider this before applying if you will be relying on public transport.

<> Is a 2 week rotating shift pattern suitable for you?

<> Can you prove your right to work in the UK? We will ask for original documentation. Passport or birth certificate and official proof of National Insurance Number. If you do not have these documents, we would not be able to offer you a start date. Birth Certificates and NI proof can easily be applied for, so we would ask you do this before sending in your application.

<> Non-UK Residents will be asked to supply their Home Office Share Code prior to attending any recruitment event.

<> We are a 364 days a year company, closed only on Christmas Day. During December and early January there are restrictions on holidays, and we work bank holidays including Boxing Day.

We are unable at the present time to offer shifts suitable for students with any restricted working hours during term time (usually 20 hours).

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.