Name: Andy Ferguson
Job title: Group HR manager
Company: Greenvale AP
Sales: £180m
Number of employees: 850
What's it like to work for your company? Well, 82% of our people think Greenvale is average or above average to work for. This figure includes those driving forklift trucks at 6am on a January morning with sleet lashing into their faces.
Why is it a good employer? We trust our people to do a good job and provide them the freedom to do so. This strategy works more often than it doesn't so it's not as high risk as some may think.
What's the best thing about working there? The people. I know it's a cliché but it's true. Even the more "challenging" really are committed to the company and there's not one person I've met who I wouldn't be happy to have a beer with.
Does the company offer any unusual benefits? We discriminate against those with perfect eyesight by offering discounted laser eye treatment to those who don't! Also, can potatoes be classified as unusual?
Is there a definable company culture? Protestant work ethic and Catholic mentality. We work hard and we look out for each other. Our capacity for work is also matched by our capacity for play.
If the company were a car what would it be and why? It would be an Audi for the time being. We've just added them to our company vehicle list and they're proving popular.
What's the training like? We run a Management Development Programme, have recently started a Graduate Development Programme, we are members of Management Development Services (offering industrial placements in fresh produce to graduates), are seeking to start our own Apprenticeship Programme and actively support employees' professional development.
Has the company won any awards? We recently won the Queen's Award for Enterprise and also achieved Investors in People status. We are now seeking ISO14001 and OHSAS18001.
What's your proudest achievement of the past 12 months? Pushing through our new company vehicle policy without blood loss. Everyone's got an opinion and they are, of course, all equally valid.
What is the most important HR issue? The Agency Workers Directive, which will make us plan our resourcing more effectively. The 2012 pension reforms are now on our radar, too.
Are you looking for any people right now? We're looking for someone to head up our processing facility in Telford.
How does one go about applying for a job? Have a look at the recruitment section of our website www.greenvale.co.uk.
What tips would you offer jobseekers? Listen to your aged parents - appearance is important.
How do I find out more about the company? www.greenvale.co.uk.
Are you working on anything exciting right now that you can tell us about? Yes but no!
Job title: Group HR manager
Company: Greenvale AP
Sales: £180m
Number of employees: 850
What's it like to work for your company? Well, 82% of our people think Greenvale is average or above average to work for. This figure includes those driving forklift trucks at 6am on a January morning with sleet lashing into their faces.
Why is it a good employer? We trust our people to do a good job and provide them the freedom to do so. This strategy works more often than it doesn't so it's not as high risk as some may think.
What's the best thing about working there? The people. I know it's a cliché but it's true. Even the more "challenging" really are committed to the company and there's not one person I've met who I wouldn't be happy to have a beer with.
Does the company offer any unusual benefits? We discriminate against those with perfect eyesight by offering discounted laser eye treatment to those who don't! Also, can potatoes be classified as unusual?
Is there a definable company culture? Protestant work ethic and Catholic mentality. We work hard and we look out for each other. Our capacity for work is also matched by our capacity for play.
If the company were a car what would it be and why? It would be an Audi for the time being. We've just added them to our company vehicle list and they're proving popular.
What's the training like? We run a Management Development Programme, have recently started a Graduate Development Programme, we are members of Management Development Services (offering industrial placements in fresh produce to graduates), are seeking to start our own Apprenticeship Programme and actively support employees' professional development.
Has the company won any awards? We recently won the Queen's Award for Enterprise and also achieved Investors in People status. We are now seeking ISO14001 and OHSAS18001.
What's your proudest achievement of the past 12 months? Pushing through our new company vehicle policy without blood loss. Everyone's got an opinion and they are, of course, all equally valid.
What is the most important HR issue? The Agency Workers Directive, which will make us plan our resourcing more effectively. The 2012 pension reforms are now on our radar, too.
Are you looking for any people right now? We're looking for someone to head up our processing facility in Telford.
How does one go about applying for a job? Have a look at the recruitment section of our website www.greenvale.co.uk.
What tips would you offer jobseekers? Listen to your aged parents - appearance is important.
How do I find out more about the company? www.greenvale.co.uk.
Are you working on anything exciting right now that you can tell us about? Yes but no!
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