UP resumes local recruitment drive after repaying furlough scheme cash

Pictured is Craig Holden (centre), Ultimate Products’ Group Operations and HR Director, alongside two Oldham-based colleagues, Jennifer Dodd (left) and Yasir Hussain (right).

Ultimate Products, the Oldham-based owner, manager, designer and developer of an extensive range of valuefocused consumer goods brands, is set to resume its local recruitment drive.

The drive is aimed at filling new roles across the company’s two Oldham sites, Manor Mill and Heron Mill.

The recruitment drive forms part of Ultimate Products’ ongoing “local jobs for local people” initiative, which is aimed at providing multiple job opportunities for the talented people of Oldham.

The company’s efforts on this initiative have seen the proportion of the company’s UK workforce with an Oldham postcode (‘OL’) increase to 40% (from 9% in 2016).

Graduates are invited to apply for Ultimate Products' successful graduate development scheme, which is currently made up of 108 colleagues, representing 48% of the company’s UK workforce.

Today, 15 colleagues who have completed the scheme hold a ‘Senior’ or ‘head of department’ position, whilst three colleagues who have completed the scheme now sit on the company’s Senior Management Team.

In addition, warehouse operatives who live locally and have packing and online warehouse experience are being sought to help manage the company’s peak period in the run-up to Christmas, with full time contracts being offered.

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the company’s website here to apply for these positions with immediate interviews being scheduled thereafter.

This recruitment drive is possible because the company has traded resiliently through the COVID-19 crisis.

Having repaid all money received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - a massive total of £465,237 - the company now considers it appropriate to increase headcount in order to service increasing demand for its products.

Commenting on the initiative, Craig Holden, Group Operations and HR Director of Ultimate Products, said: “There is a huge amount of talent in the Oldham area and with this recruitment drive we hope to give both graduates and non-graduates alike a platform to shine.

"We are very proud of our track record of hiring from the local community and providing people with a clear path to senior leadership across our business.

"With Oldham currently under immense pressure from the impact of COVID-19, we are more determined than ever to do our bit for the local community.

"This ranges from supporting local charities and initiatives to providing employment opportunities, such as the ones we’ve announced now.”

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