Job title: Business development director
Company: Bennett Opie
Sales: £16m
HQ: Sittingbourne, Kent
Number of employees: 100
What's it like to work for the company? Challenging, exciting and rewarding.
Why is it a good employer? It offers employees the opportunity to reach their full potential. I enjoy working within a team where everyone has access to senior management.
What's the best thing about working there? The freedom to drive the business and the excitement of working for such a successful company.
Does the company offer any usual benefits? We have access to as many pickled walnuts as we desire.
How does the company differ from its rivals? Opies offers high-quality and unique products. It's the only company in the northern hemisphere to produce pickled walnuts. Opies prides itself on the personal touch, placing high value on advising customers. Unlike some competitors, we pack our products in the UK and have a broad customer base including foodservice, coffee buyers and consumers. We also distribute Monin, Clement Faugier, Linghams and Ferns products.
Is there a definable company culture? The close nature of the team, the friendly atmosphere and its heritage. The company prides itself on maintaining the values first established by its founder, Bennett Opie.
If the company were a car, what would it be and why? A classic MG, as it has connotations of quality, heritage and aspiration.
What's the training like and what qualifications could I earn? Specific training is provided for each area of the business, including food production and office support.
Has the company won any awards? We've won a multitude of awards, including the Queens Award for Export. We also sponsor a category in the Taste of Kent Awards and our MD, William, is chairman of Produced in Kent.
What's your proudest achievement of the past 12 months? Being part of a team that has enjoyed a 22% growth surge, as well as launching a range of new products. I enjoy seeing products I've worked on appear on the shelf.
What are the most important or challenging HR issues? The biggest challenges are keeping employees focused when there is a wealth of opportunity available, and keeping their skills updated.
How does one go about applying for a job? All jobs are advertised. For factory jobs, adverts appear in local papers or employment agencies. Higher-level jobs are advertised in relevant national trade publications.
What tips would you offer jobseekers? Sell yourselves and demonstrate knowledge of the industry and company. As our team is so close-knit, it's important that employees fit in.
Are you working on anything exciting that you can tell us about? The new Opies pickle and ginger range. I'm also looking at relaunching the Garden of England brand this year.
Company: Bennett Opie
Sales: £16m
HQ: Sittingbourne, Kent
Number of employees: 100
What's it like to work for the company? Challenging, exciting and rewarding.
Why is it a good employer? It offers employees the opportunity to reach their full potential. I enjoy working within a team where everyone has access to senior management.
What's the best thing about working there? The freedom to drive the business and the excitement of working for such a successful company.
Does the company offer any usual benefits? We have access to as many pickled walnuts as we desire.
How does the company differ from its rivals? Opies offers high-quality and unique products. It's the only company in the northern hemisphere to produce pickled walnuts. Opies prides itself on the personal touch, placing high value on advising customers. Unlike some competitors, we pack our products in the UK and have a broad customer base including foodservice, coffee buyers and consumers. We also distribute Monin, Clement Faugier, Linghams and Ferns products.
Is there a definable company culture? The close nature of the team, the friendly atmosphere and its heritage. The company prides itself on maintaining the values first established by its founder, Bennett Opie.
If the company were a car, what would it be and why? A classic MG, as it has connotations of quality, heritage and aspiration.
What's the training like and what qualifications could I earn? Specific training is provided for each area of the business, including food production and office support.
Has the company won any awards? We've won a multitude of awards, including the Queens Award for Export. We also sponsor a category in the Taste of Kent Awards and our MD, William, is chairman of Produced in Kent.
What's your proudest achievement of the past 12 months? Being part of a team that has enjoyed a 22% growth surge, as well as launching a range of new products. I enjoy seeing products I've worked on appear on the shelf.
What are the most important or challenging HR issues? The biggest challenges are keeping employees focused when there is a wealth of opportunity available, and keeping their skills updated.
How does one go about applying for a job? All jobs are advertised. For factory jobs, adverts appear in local papers or employment agencies. Higher-level jobs are advertised in relevant national trade publications.
What tips would you offer jobseekers? Sell yourselves and demonstrate knowledge of the industry and company. As our team is so close-knit, it's important that employees fit in.
Are you working on anything exciting that you can tell us about? The new Opies pickle and ginger range. I'm also looking at relaunching the Garden of England brand this year.
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