Salad makers Bakkavor are creating 150 new jobs at their Tilmanstone site.

These are all permanent roles across day, evening and night shifts.

The posts are seen as a boost for the local economy at a time when the fallout from Covid has resulted in the highest level of UK unemployment for five years.

This is part of the growth plans for the Tilmanstone site, which have been developed in partnership with the company's supermarket customers and a growing national trend in online food shopping.

This is culminating in an range relaunch in the coming months.

The Tilmanstone site specialises in making of bagged and bowl salads.

Dan Hill, general manager at Bakkavor Salads Tilmanstone, said: “This news contributes to the economic health of the local community at a critical time.

“Aside from good rates of pay and real opportunities to progress and develop skills, we offer new joiners a range of staff benefits, including a stakeholder pension and life insurance cover.

"This is as well as heavily discounted food products from our newly opened staff shop.

"We are delighted to be creating significant employment opportunities at a very challenging time for the local economy.”

Bakkavor also produces desserts, pizza and bread and its customers include Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

The company was founded in 1986 and has its headquarters in London. It has more than 20,000 employees and operates 23 factories in the UK, five in the US and nine in China.

Candidates for the new posts at Tilmanstone can learn more about the opportunities through the job search section of the company's website.

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Bakkavor is the leading provider of fresh prepared food ("FPF") in the UK, with a growing international presence in the US and China. The Group is the number one by market share in the UK in the four FPF product categories of meals, salads, desserts and pizza & bread, providing high-quality, fresh, healthy and convenient food. Its customers include some of the UK's leading grocery retailers, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. The Group's International segment operates in the US and China. As these FPF markets continue to grow, Bakkavor seeks to leverage its UK expertise in order to build its presence in these territories. Bakkavor was founded in 1986 and has its headquarters in London. The Group has over 20,000 employees and operates 23 factories in the UK, 5 in the US and 9 in China.