Starter Champion

Position: New Starter Champion
Location: Low Fulney

New Starter Champion   

We drive our own success   

Salary:  Competitive (depending on experience)

 Benefits:
Highly competitive rewards package, life assurance, and excellent career progression prospects across the Bakkavor group

Location:

Spalding

 Ways of Working:
Site Based

Shift:  Monday-Friday,  (However must be flexible to cover all shifts where required)
Contract Type:  Permanent    

Why join us?

We're constantly evolving, progressing and diversifying. And we want our people to do so too. For everyone to feel empowered, engaged and enabled. To create opportunities to move forward, climb higher and push for more. We believe in fuelling ambition and guiding success. In supporting everyone with talent and drive to own what they do, realise their potential and build a brilliant future for themselves at Bakkavor.

What we do   

This fantastic opportunity will be based at our Bakkavor Spalding site, which employs over 1,470 people across 3 manufacturing facilities & 1 Distribution Centre. We specialise in making hand crafted sandwich wraps, salads, dips, soups & sauces and mayonnaise.

About the role    

In this busy and exciting role as New Starter Champion, you will play a key part in welcoming new colleagues into the business each week. Your purpose is to champion their experience, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed. By identifying and overcoming barriers to retention, you will help drive a reduction in site turnover and strengthen overall engagement.

You will act as a vital conduit between new colleagues and their line managers, the operations team, HR, and L&D, ensuring communication flows smoothly and that every new starter has the guidance and resources they need to thrive.  

Role Accountabilities  
Liaise with HR, Learning, Operations and Facilities to prepare for new colleagues' induction and first day     
Ensure site access, PPE, lockers and systems are ready, and guide colleagues through processes like Epay and My Reward      
Meet and greet new starters, attend induction, and remain a point of contact during their first three months     
Support integration by introducing colleagues to managers, teams and workplace facilities     
Manage the buddy system, allocate suitable buddies, and monitor effectiveness     
Identify and address barriers to retention through feedback, listening groups and turnover data     
Influence stakeholders to improve retention and support career progression opportunities     
Work with SEF representatives to raise new colleague issues and seek solutions    About You   

This role requires the ability to build strong relationships at all levels, supported by excellent interpersonal and communication skills - you should be able to win the hearts and minds of stakeholders to influence change, while consistently exhibiting credibility.  

Strong organisational and prioritisation skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently, reporting into a senior manager with minimal guidance.  

You will need to demonstrate robust problem-solving skills, identifying issues and developing both immediate solutions and longer-term sustainable options.  

Previous experience in a role requiring a similar skill set will be highly valuable.  

Joining as a New Starter Champion offers the chance to make a real difference to colleague experience, helping shape retention and career progression while adding genuine value to the business.  

What you'll receive   

As an equal opportunity employer, we're committed to providing a safe and rewarding environment for you to thrive in. This is why we work hard to deliver benefits, rewards and wellbeing offerings that are important to you.  

You'll enjoy:
Life Assurance (1 x salary)  
25 days holiday  
Staff Shop  
Stakeholder Pension Scheme  
My Bargains Discount Platform  
Personal Accident Insurance  
Free Independent Mortgage Advice  
Employee Assistance Programme  
A Range of voluntary benefits (holiday purchase scheme, additional life assurance, dental & hospital cash plans)  
Discounted tutoring for children  
Access to financial learning tools and affordable loans via your salary  
Private Medical Insurance (after 5 years service)  
Free Car parking  Plus, a commitment to your wellbeing that includes emotional, physical and financial support services delivered by our fantastic team of wellbeing champions.  

Proud to be Bakkavor    

We're proud to be the market leader in the UK fresh prepared food industry. We're proud to supply meals, salads, desserts, pizza and bread to leading grocery retailers including Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. We're driven by the hard work and passion of our people and are delighted to offer a wide range of careers across our business - come and join our dedicated Bakkavor team!

At Bakkavor, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, and we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome and encourage applications from all…