Perthshire potato supplier Branston has launched a recruitment drive after demand surged during the coronavirus outbreak.
The firm is looking for team leaders, machine operatives, forklift truck drivers and engineers at its Abernethy premises. Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare of spuds by stockpiling shoppers in the last couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of pub, restaurant and retail staff have been left out of work by mass closures ordered by the Government, and food industry firms such as Branston hope they can fill the gap.
Managing director James Truscott said: “We want to keep the nation supplied with potatoes during this time of need, which have always been a staple of the British diet. So many businesses have been impacted and many people have been laid off from their jobs so we’re hoping we might be able to help, at least in the short term.”
Branston is offering temporary contracts to people with all levels of experience and is ready to recruit via email ( tempjobs@branston.co.uk ) and telephone screening to minimise unnecessary face to face contact that might risk the spread of Covid-19. Candidates who do not fit the jobs advertised are being encouraged to apply in case suitable roles crop up. They can apply at www.branston.com/careers/job-vacancies.
Simon Telfer, HR director at Branston, said: “We also want people to register their interest in jobs at Branston even if there isn’t anything specifically suitable to their skillset. We are making daily changes to our operations and new roles are continually being created.
“Our agronomy staff are currently being trained on the weighbridge intake process and we’re training up our engineers to run the packing machines. Office staff who have a forklift truck licence are also now helping out in the factories. Everyone is doing their bit.”
