Cook

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd.; Ashford; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd. is hiring an Industrial Cook for a busy food manufacturing operation in the United Kingdom.

This temporary-to-permanent role offers a pay rate of £12.95 per hour, increasing to £13.80 per hour after six months, with Monday to Friday shifts from 11:30am to 8:00pm. You will follow recipes, weigh ingredients, ensure traceability, complete production records, and maintain strict hygiene and HACCP controls in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking, catering or food production.
• Ability to lift up to 25kg.
• Comfort with production software.
• Strong attention to detail and quality.
• Team player with proactive attitude.
• Understanding of food hygiene and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Follow recipes and production instructions to manufacture products.
• Weigh, prepare, and add ingredients to production machinery.
• Ensure full traceability of all raw materials and ingredients used.
• Complete production documentation and control records accurately.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across equipment and areas.
• Adhere to all food safety procedures, including HACCP controls.
• Store and handle raw materials and finished goods at correct temperatures.
• Report non-conforming products or quality concerns promptly.
• Ensure correct segregation of ingredients including allergens.
• Report equipment faults or operational issues to management.
• Keep production areas clean, organised, and compliant with company standards.
• Comply with site food safety, hygiene, and quality policies.

Skills

Manual handling

Food production

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Basic computer skills

Tools

Automated production systems

Job description

Industrial Cook

Contract: Temporary to Permanent

Pay Rate: £12.95 per hour, increasing to £13.80 per hour after 6 months

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 8:00pm

About the Role

We are recruiting for an Industrial Cook to join a busy food manufacturing operation. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in cooking, catering, or food production who is looking for a long-term role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Follow recipes and production instructions accurately to manufacture products to specification.
• Weigh, prepare, and add ingredients to production machinery.
• Ensure full traceability of all raw materials and ingredients used throughout production.
• Complete production documentation and control records accurately.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across equipment, workstations, production areas, and personal protective clothing.
• Adhere to all food safety procedures, including HACCP controls, heat processing, filtration, and metal detection processes.
• Store and handle raw materials and finished goods at the correct temperatures and prevent contamination.
• Report any non-conforming products or quality concerns to the relevant department.
• Ensure correct segregation of ingredients where required, including allergens and other controlled materials.
• Report equipment faults or operational issues promptly to management.
• Keep production areas clean, organised, and compliant with company standards.
• Comply with all site food safety, hygiene, and quality policies.

About You

• Previous experience in a cooking, catering, chef, or food production role.
• The ability to undertake manual handling and heavy lifting of up to 25kg.
• Basic computer skills and confidence working with automated production systems.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• A proactive attitude with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• An understanding of food hygiene and food safety standards.

What's on Offer?

• Temporary to permanent opportunity with long-term career prospects.
• Pay increase after successful completion of 6 months.
• Monday to Friday working pattern.
• Opportunity to join an established and growing food manufacturing business.