A North Yorkshire food firm producing around one million sausages every day is creating a string of new jobs as it continues to expand.
Heck, based in Kirklington near Bedale, is looking to bolster its workforce with a number of new production roles as demand grows for its sausages, burgers, meatballs and rashers.
The family-run business will hold its fifth recruitment event on Saturday, October 24, where jobseekers can tour the factory, meet staff and interview for available roles.
Vacancies include Mixing Room Supervisors, Picking Team Members, Packing Team Members and Day and Night Hygiene Team Members.
The factory open day runs from 10am to noon at Heck’s headquarters on Lime Lane, Kirklington.
The latest recruitment drive comes as manufacturers across North Yorkshire continue to face skills shortages and competition for workers in a tight labour market.
Heck has instead been opening its factory doors to prospective employees, allowing people to see the production process and experience the business before deciding whether to apply.
HECK! HQ in Lime Lane, Kirklington (Image: Glen Minikin)
The company says previous events have resulted in successful hires, including Andy Sheehan, who attended an earlier recruitment day before joining the team this year.
Andy says: “The open day was a great way to get a feel for the business before joining.
Andy Sheehan who joined the HECK! team earlier this year (Image: HECK!)
"Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and you could tell straight away that it’s a family business where people genuinely care about each other, while at the same time the working environment is fast-paced and dynamic.
“I’m from a military background and moved into manufacturing after leaving the service.
When we moved back to North Yorkshire, I was keen to see what the company had to offer, so I went along to one of its open days and got to know the business.
I’m really excited to be working for such a great family-and-friends business and to be part of a team that’s growing together.”
Jamie Keeble, Heck co-founder, said: “Our growth means we’re continuing to invest in both our people and our production facilities.
"Every time we expand, we need great people to join the business, which is why our factory open days have become such an important part of our recruitment strategy.
"It’s great that we’re attracting people like Andy, who can bring their brilliant skills to our business.
“We want people to come in, meet the team, see how we work and experience the culture that makes HECK! such a special place to work.
We’re also looking to give local people the opportunity to build long-term careers with us.”
Heck launched in North Yorkshire in 2013 and has grown from a family start-up into one of the UK's best-known premium sausage, burger and mince brands.
It supplies major UK retailers and continues to invest in its headquarters near Bedale.
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Although the company is particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in food manufacturing, the open day is available to anyone interested in exploring a career in the industry.
People who have not previously worked in a factory are also invited to attend.
More information and registration for the Factory Open Day are available on the Heck website: www.heckfood.co.uk