Waitrose launches online recruitment test
One of the UK's leading food retailers and top graduate employers, Waitrose, has launched a new online tool to enable them to identify high quality graduate applicants for their food job vacancies. Waitrose receives thousands of applications every year, and it is hoped that this new online test will make the recruitment process much easier and more efficient for both graduates and the company.
Alongside their existing recruitment procedures, Waitrose will now be using an online Situational Judgement Test, which will assess judgement and decision-making skills in commonplace work scenarios. 150 applicants who score highly on this test will then be sent through to the company's Graduate Selection Centres, where employees of the highest calibre will then be placed into store-based retail management roles.
The new process comes as a response in the recruitment market, where a larger number of applicants than ever before are competing for food jobs, and Waitrose hopes that the new selection tool will be efficient enough to address this challenge.
Most importantly, Waitrose bosses are aiming to find future employees who are committed to a retail or food job as a career, rather than those who will settle for any form of employment. Once they have found these dedicated applicants, they then hope to fit those with the best possible skills into the most appropriate available roles.
Alongside their existing recruitment procedures, Waitrose will now be using an online Situational Judgement Test, which will assess judgement and decision-making skills in commonplace work scenarios. 150 applicants who score highly on this test will then be sent through to the company's Graduate Selection Centres, where employees of the highest calibre will then be placed into store-based retail management roles.
The new process comes as a response in the recruitment market, where a larger number of applicants than ever before are competing for food jobs, and Waitrose hopes that the new selection tool will be efficient enough to address this challenge.
Most importantly, Waitrose bosses are aiming to find future employees who are committed to a retail or food job as a career, rather than those who will settle for any form of employment. Once they have found these dedicated applicants, they then hope to fit those with the best possible skills into the most appropriate available roles.
One hundred new food jobs to be created in Stornoway
Food manufacturing jobs are holding out well in the current recession. And, it seems that new food jobs are being created all the time. A new manufacturing site in Scotland has applied for planning permission to create up to 100 new food jobs in the Stornoway area.
The planning application was submitted by salmon farming company Lighthouse Caledonia to provide a facility to process up to 15,000 tonnes of fish per year. The factory will primarily be used for gutting and filleting and encompass an area covering approximately 7,000 sqm. Located at Arnish just south of Stornoway the facility is hoped to be fully operational before the end of 2010.
Lighthouse Caledonia closed a factory last year when is was under different ownership but this is a move in the right direction for the company who's turnover was £52 million in 2008.
If the 100 new jobs are created in the region it will be brilliant for the local economy and residents who rely on the fishing industry in this part of the world.
The planning application was submitted by salmon farming company Lighthouse Caledonia to provide a facility to process up to 15,000 tonnes of fish per year. The factory will primarily be used for gutting and filleting and encompass an area covering approximately 7,000 sqm. Located at Arnish just south of Stornoway the facility is hoped to be fully operational before the end of 2010.
Lighthouse Caledonia closed a factory last year when is was under different ownership but this is a move in the right direction for the company who's turnover was £52 million in 2008.
If the 100 new jobs are created in the region it will be brilliant for the local economy and residents who rely on the fishing industry in this part of the world.
Health and safety food jobs
In any type of industry, health and safety plays a vital role. From risk assessments to knowing the Health and Safety at Work Act, this part of industry is a growing area and needs skilled employees.
The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) are a leading health and safety examiner whose qualifications are recognised by bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
If you are looking for a career in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and have qualifications in health and safety such as a NEBOSH qualification, the food industry is a perfect place to start or continue your career. There are many vacancies for qualified personnel who are forward thinking and can action positive improvements to the health and safety policies of different companies.
The processes used in the food industry at a manufacturing level can sometimes be hazardous and hence this type of role is perfect for people who are proactive not reactive. If you have a Health and Safety qualification, food manufacturing is the perfect place to continue your career.
The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) are a leading health and safety examiner whose qualifications are recognised by bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
If you are looking for a career in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and have qualifications in health and safety such as a NEBOSH qualification, the food industry is a perfect place to start or continue your career. There are many vacancies for qualified personnel who are forward thinking and can action positive improvements to the health and safety policies of different companies.
The processes used in the food industry at a manufacturing level can sometimes be hazardous and hence this type of role is perfect for people who are proactive not reactive. If you have a Health and Safety qualification, food manufacturing is the perfect place to continue your career.
Hain Frozen foods £1.5 million new plant
Hain frozen foods have just finished their new £1.5 million dessert plant, only 16 weeks after the contact was awarded in May.
The frozen food firm has created 35 new food jobs at its plant at Holt Road, Fakenham. The plant, which currently provides Linda McCartney meat free foods, will now add a range of crumbles and sponge puddings to its production which will be supplied to a major retailer.
Turnover at the factory is expected to double to £25 million over the coming year and the factory recently featured at the Food Manufacture Excellence awards. Hain frozen foods have turned around its fortunes of late and with this new investment and the 35 food jobs created, the business has firmly laughed in the face of the recession.
The factory have recently introduced a 4 day shift pattern to improve efficiency and with lean manufacturing techniques now part of the day to day business plan it is important that improvements are sustained to move the factory to new levels over the coming years.
The frozen food firm has created 35 new food jobs at its plant at Holt Road, Fakenham. The plant, which currently provides Linda McCartney meat free foods, will now add a range of crumbles and sponge puddings to its production which will be supplied to a major retailer.
Turnover at the factory is expected to double to £25 million over the coming year and the factory recently featured at the Food Manufacture Excellence awards. Hain frozen foods have turned around its fortunes of late and with this new investment and the 35 food jobs created, the business has firmly laughed in the face of the recession.
The factory have recently introduced a 4 day shift pattern to improve efficiency and with lean manufacturing techniques now part of the day to day business plan it is important that improvements are sustained to move the factory to new levels over the coming years.
Arla Foods UK to open largest dairy in the world's largest dairy facility near London
On 16th November 2009, leading dairy company Arla Foods UK confirmed reports that it is to invest more than £70 million in a new milk processing facility in the outer edges of London. The company have already started the project and are currently occupied with finding an adequate site for the facility which, when completed, will be the largest dairy facility of its kind in the world.
The dairy will also be world's most technologically advanced milk processing facility; not only using the most sustainable building techniques in its construction, but will also be able to efficiently and ecologically handle one billion litres of fresh, liquid milk every year.
Arla Foods already processes approximately 28% of Britain's milk, but has been planning this cutting-edge project for some time as part of strategies to expand its UK fresh milk business. The new facility will not only help them to become a world leader in the dairy industry, but it will also provide over 500 food jobs for the area.
The site for the facility is yet to be confirmed by Arla Foods UK, but they have said that they expect it to be fully operational by 2012.
The dairy will also be world's most technologically advanced milk processing facility; not only using the most sustainable building techniques in its construction, but will also be able to efficiently and ecologically handle one billion litres of fresh, liquid milk every year.
Arla Foods already processes approximately 28% of Britain's milk, but has been planning this cutting-edge project for some time as part of strategies to expand its UK fresh milk business. The new facility will not only help them to become a world leader in the dairy industry, but it will also provide over 500 food jobs for the area.
The site for the facility is yet to be confirmed by Arla Foods UK, but they have said that they expect it to be fully operational by 2012.
There is a shortage of skilled engineers in the food industry
If you are a skilled engineer who would a change of direction, there are always excellent food jobs on offer in the FMCG sector of the food industry.
The UK has struggled to produce enough skilled electrical and mechanical engineers over the last decade due to lack of apprenticeships. Whilst this means that it can now be quite difficult to recruit skilled engineers it also means that engineer's salaries are excellent and there are always opportunities for engineers looking for food jobs.
If you are an electrical engineer or a mechanical engineer or if you are multi-skilled you can bring many different important skills to this area of industry. If you have previously worked as part of a team providing reactive maintenance on large industrial equipment or perhaps have PLC skills on different types of processors you would fit into the food sector perfectly.
Most skilled engineers who work in the food industry have been in their jobs for many years and with the number of skilled engineers needed in the food industry growing every year, more engineers are needed. If you have the right skills, have a look at the available jobs in your area, you might be surprised at the number of positions available.
The UK has struggled to produce enough skilled electrical and mechanical engineers over the last decade due to lack of apprenticeships. Whilst this means that it can now be quite difficult to recruit skilled engineers it also means that engineer's salaries are excellent and there are always opportunities for engineers looking for food jobs.
If you are an electrical engineer or a mechanical engineer or if you are multi-skilled you can bring many different important skills to this area of industry. If you have previously worked as part of a team providing reactive maintenance on large industrial equipment or perhaps have PLC skills on different types of processors you would fit into the food sector perfectly.
Most skilled engineers who work in the food industry have been in their jobs for many years and with the number of skilled engineers needed in the food industry growing every year, more engineers are needed. If you have the right skills, have a look at the available jobs in your area, you might be surprised at the number of positions available.
High Calibre Production Managers Wanted!
It seems that we want to go back to our mum's apron strings and start baking again. I have noticed new tv advertising campaigns for home baking products and read articles saying that sales ingredients for home baking have increased.
I ask myself is this because of the recession or the mountains of celebrity chefs telling us that home cooked is better, whether at home or at school.
This is good news for the manufacturers of baking ingredients, who in this time of recession, are in the process of recruiting Production Managers of high calibre wanting to progress their careers within FTSE 100 companies in a growing market.
I ask myself is this because of the recession or the mountains of celebrity chefs telling us that home cooked is better, whether at home or at school.
This is good news for the manufacturers of baking ingredients, who in this time of recession, are in the process of recruiting Production Managers of high calibre wanting to progress their careers within FTSE 100 companies in a growing market.
The Food Industry Needs You!
Thousands of graduate jobs are being created in the UK's food production sector as it seeks to replace its ageing workforce.
This is according to Jack Matthews of Improve, the food and drink sector's skills council, who told the Daily Mirror that employers in the industry are "crying out for ambitious recruits".
"The food and drink industry has shown it is resilient to the recession as people will always need to eat, so there are plenty of career paths offering great opportunities for progression," he explained.
The industry was one of the few to actually increase exports in the first six months of the year. Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks were up 10.2% to £4.82bn according to new research commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation.
According to the newspaper, there are more than 10,000 food production jobs available at any one time, with a number of varied and specialised vacancies that need filling.
There are opportunities to specialise in a particular skill, meaning that the opportunities for graduate recruitment are numerous.
Jobs range from those in manufacturing, food production and product development to food technology, purchasing and sales and marketing.
Opportunities also exist in smaller firms, which often concentrate on the development of specialist products.
A recent study by Improve predicts that by 2017 the UK's food and drink industry will need to recruit 72,000 new workers to fill technical management, professional and skilled roles, including food scientists and technologists. Mr Matthews said that many people simply did not realise the levels of rewards and security available for skilled workers in the industry.
"Food scientists or technologists, for example, can work in a number of different roles. These are the people who develop low-fat chocolate bars, sweets with no artificial additives and help keep the price of food down by developing more cost-effective recipes for popular foods. They are exciting roles to have, and those who reach the top level can command salaries in excess of £50,000."
With that in mind, this is also an ideal opportunity for people leaving school in 2010 to secure a place on one of the many food related degree courses on offer.
This is according to Jack Matthews of Improve, the food and drink sector's skills council, who told the Daily Mirror that employers in the industry are "crying out for ambitious recruits".
"The food and drink industry has shown it is resilient to the recession as people will always need to eat, so there are plenty of career paths offering great opportunities for progression," he explained.
The industry was one of the few to actually increase exports in the first six months of the year. Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks were up 10.2% to £4.82bn according to new research commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation.
According to the newspaper, there are more than 10,000 food production jobs available at any one time, with a number of varied and specialised vacancies that need filling.
There are opportunities to specialise in a particular skill, meaning that the opportunities for graduate recruitment are numerous.
Jobs range from those in manufacturing, food production and product development to food technology, purchasing and sales and marketing.
Opportunities also exist in smaller firms, which often concentrate on the development of specialist products.
A recent study by Improve predicts that by 2017 the UK's food and drink industry will need to recruit 72,000 new workers to fill technical management, professional and skilled roles, including food scientists and technologists. Mr Matthews said that many people simply did not realise the levels of rewards and security available for skilled workers in the industry.
"Food scientists or technologists, for example, can work in a number of different roles. These are the people who develop low-fat chocolate bars, sweets with no artificial additives and help keep the price of food down by developing more cost-effective recipes for popular foods. They are exciting roles to have, and those who reach the top level can command salaries in excess of £50,000."
With that in mind, this is also an ideal opportunity for people leaving school in 2010 to secure a place on one of the many food related degree courses on offer.
