Food Recruitment

Advocate Group is a leading food recruitment agency in the UK, partnering with top FMCG brands and food manufacturers to deliver tailored food industry recruitment solutions. 

Our expertise covers every function critical to success in the food sector - from Sales, Marketing, and Commercial Leadership through to Supply Chain, Operations, NPD, and Technical. Whether you’re scaling production, launching new products, or strengthening leadership capability, we deliver talent that drives performance and growth. 

What Is Food Recruitment? 

Food Industry Recruitment Services Overview 

Food recruitment focuses on sourcing skilled professionals across the entire food production and commercial lifecycle - from factory operatives and QA managers to brand leaders and commercial directors. 
At Advocate Group, we combine deep sector networks with rigorous screening processes to identify candidates who truly understand your product, your consumers, and your culture. 


Role of a Food Recruitment Agency UK 

A specialist food recruitment agency UK like Advocate Group provide more than just hiring support - we deliver market intelligence, compliance expertise, and end-to-end recruitment solutions. 
From candidate attraction and assessment to offer negotiation and onboarding, we manage every stage to ensure you make the right hire, every time.  

Sourcing Strategies for Food Manufacturing and FMCG Roles

Effective food manufacturing and FMCG recruitment begins with mapping talent across production, packaging, logistics, and commercial functions. 
We leverage our partnerships with industry associations, training academies, and targeted campaigns to engage both active and passive professionals - from high-speed line operators to category and sales managers driving growth in leading food brands. 

For actionable insights, explore our expert tips for attracting top Food & Drink talent. [INSERT LINK]

Assessing Candidates for Quality Assurance & Safety Compliance 

When assessing QA and compliance professionals, we look beyond technical qualifications. Our competency-based interviews and practical assessments validate audit experience, continuous improvement initiatives, and alignment with your culture and operational standards. 

What Qualifications Are Needed for Food Industry Roles? 

Key certifications include HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), BRC (British Retail Consortium), and ISO 22000. These demonstrate a candidate’s commitment to food safety, product integrity, and regulatory compliance - essential in maintaining the highest industry standards. 

Skills Required for Food Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing Roles 

Successful food industry professionals blend analytical, technical, and commercial capability. From supply chain specialists skilled in demand forecasting and inventory optimisation, to sales and marketing leaders driving category growth and brand performance - we prioritise candidates who bring both strategic insight and hands-on experience. 

 

Why Choose Advocate Group for Food Sector Recruitment? 

Experts in Food and Consumer Products Recruitment  

With decades of combined experience in consumer products and food recruitment, The Advocate Group understands the nuances of every category - from fresh produce to chilled, ambient, and premium goods. Our tailored sourcing strategies are built around your brand’s positioning, culture, and long-term goals. 

Proven Track Record in Food Industry Talent Acquisition 

Our consultative approach and commitment to quality have delivered a four-week average fill rate for critical food industry roles. Clients trust our specialists to deliver reliable, compliant, and commercially capable talent - keeping production lines moving, brands growing, and operations performing at their best.  

Our food recruitment specialists partner with brands ranging from innovative challenger labels to global FMCG leaders, delivering across permanent, interim, and project-based appointments. This cross-functional capability makes us the trusted recruitment partner of choice for food manufacturers across the UK. 


FAQs 

What is food recruitment? 

Food recruitment involves sourcing professionals for roles across production, supply chain, sales, marketing, and quality assurance within the food sector.  

How do you recruit food production and commercial talent? 

By leveraging deep industry networks, technical assessments, and targeted campaigns focused on HACCP-certified and commercially proven professionals.  

What qualifications are needed for food industry roles? 

Relevant experience in food manufacturing, HACCP or BRC certification, and proven expertise in food safety or commercial growth strategy.  

How long does food recruitment take? 

Typically around four weeks, depending on the seniority and complexity of the role. 

 

Whether supporting fast-growing challenger brands or established food manufacturers, Advocate Group delivers scalable recruitment solutions that adapt to your business needs. From single critical hires to multi-role projects, we provide the insight, reach, and reliability that leading food companies depend on. 

Did you know we’re also experts in Beauty & Cosmetics recruitment, Consumer Packaged Goods recruitment, Drinks recruitment, Fashion recruitment, FMCG recruitment, Health & Wellbeing recruitment, Homeware recruitment and Toys & Games recruitment? 
Explore all our FMCG and consumer product recruitment specialisms to find the team best suited to your needs - or browse our latest food industry and FMCG job opportunities. 

 

Active jobs

Night Shift Coordinator

Peterborough
Lincolnshire
ยฃ40k - 41k per year + benefits and discretionary bonus
Are you an experienced, proactive leader looking to take the next step in your career? Do you want to work for a household name in the FMCG industry? As Night Shift Coordinator, you'll be responsible for overseeing night shift operations to ensure the smooth, efficient production of high-quality products. You'll lead and support your team, ensuring resources and equipment are optimally utilised to meet production targets and maintain a 'Right First-Time' approach. You'll also act as the key point of contact for any operational issues during the night shift.

Maintenance Manager

Halstead
Essex
ยฃ50k - 60k per year
Maintenance Manager Location: Essex Industry: Manufacturing Employment Type: Full-time Salary: ยฃ60,000 - 65,000 + Benefits We are seeking a proactive and technically skilled Maintenance Manager to take the lead on maintenance strategy at our Halstead manufacturing site. This is a key leadership position, responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and operational performance of plant equipment and infrastructure. You will oversee preventive and condition-based maintenance processes, support capital investment and technical upgrade projects, and ensure maximum plant uptime through effective maintenance execution. Your approach to leadership, collaboration, and innovation will help shape the future resilience and efficiency of the site. Key Responsibilities: Develop, implement, and manage the site's maintenance strategy, budget, and performance metrics. Lead both planned and reactive maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Ensure maintenance procedures, technical documentation, and policies are up-to-date and aligned with best practice. Collaborate with engineering and operations teams on the installation and commissioning of new machinery, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to standard. Oversee procurement and resource planning, maintaining an effective balance of in-house and third-party support. Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data-led insights, root cause analysis, and KPI tracking. Manage relationships with external suppliers, ensuring safety, quality, and performance meet contractual expectations. Lead, mentor, and grow the maintenance team through structured training, recruitment, and performance management. Work closely with internal stakeholders to support future investment planning and strategic decision-making for equipment and infrastructure. About You: A qualified engineer, ideally with an Electrical or Mechanical background. Experience gained in an automated, fast-paced manufacturing environment (food or FMCG experience highly desirable). Demonstrable success in maintenance leadership roles, including budgeting, team management, and supplier oversight. Strong technical knowledge, with a keen eye for detail, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Excellent communicator and collaborator capable of influencing cross-functional teams. Able to thrive in a hands-on role with a solutions-focused mindset and commitment to high standards. Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

Category Manager

London
Greater London
ยฃ55k - 65k per year
Join a global, family-owned FMCG business with some of the UK's most loved brands. The Advocate Group are currently supporting the search for an experienced Category Manager to drive category growth across the Out of Home, Traditional Trade and Ireland channels. In this strategic role, you'll act as a trusted advisor to customers and internal teams - shaping category plans, leading range reviews, and delivering actionable insights that boost visibility, distribution and sales.

Customer Category Manager

Perivale
London
Market related
Advocate Group is proud to represent a leading global FMCG business in their search for a Customer Category Manager to join their commercial team.

Creative Content Exec

Norbiton
Greater London
ยฃ30k - 33k per year
Love building communities and crafting content that gets people talking? The Advocate Group are on the hunt for a Creative Content Executive to help shape stories, spark conversations, and bring brands to life across social media, email, and beyond.

Brand Manager

Norbiton
Greater London
ยฃ50k - 60k per year
Ready to take a brand from challenger to category leader? The Advocate Group are looking for a commercially sharp, creative Brand Manager to drive growth across digital and retail channels for an ambitious, mission-led food business.

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