At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare fresh ingredients for production in a fast-paced food environment.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bringing delicious food to life every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in food prep is a plus; we value teamwork and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 28500 £ per year.
Permanent - Full-Time
Salary: Up to £13.71 per hour
Days - Working a shift pattern of 3s and 4s, either Sunday to Wednesday / Sunday to Tuesday OR Wednesday to Saturday / Thursday to Saturday. 06:00 - 18:00.
Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life.
Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn. Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.
Here at Spalding PE11 3UY, we have a team of around 540 colleagues. We produce coleslaw, potato salad, salad bar bulk products (2kg), pasta salads and couscous/grains for some of the biggest retailers in the UK including Morrisons, Co-op, Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Nando's and Pizza Hut. Our Spalding site has a restaurant with hot food available to all our colleagues.
What you'll be doing:
- As a Prep Operative, you will play a key role in preparing fresh ingredients ready for production, ensuring all materials meet the required quality, safety, and specification standards.
- Working as part of the production team, you will be responsible for tasks such as washing, cutting, measuring, and organising ingredients to support efficient line operations.
- This role goes beyond basic preparation tasks and offers the opportunity to develop your skills within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Full training will be provided.
Key Responsibilities:
- Preparing raw ingredients (e.g. washing, peeling, cutting, and portioning) in line with production requirements.
- Accurately weighing and measuring ingredients according to recipes and specifications.
- Ensuring all prepared ingredients meet quality and food safety standards before production use.
- Following production plans and schedules to ensure ingredients are ready on time.
- Carrying out quality checks and reporting any issues or inconsistencies.
- Maintaining a clean, tidy, and hygienic work area in line with food safety standards.
- Adhering to all health, safety, and food hygiene procedures at all times.
- Supporting the wider production team to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
- Handling equipment safely, including knives and basic prep machinery where required.
- Completing relevant documentation accurately, including prep records and checks.
- Assisting with stock rotation and ensuring correct storage of ingredients (FIFO).
- Supporting the training of new team members where required.
- Carrying out any other reasonable tasks as directed by the line manager.
What we're looking for:
- Previous experience in food manufacturing or a similar environment is desirable, ideally within fresh produce or a chilled setting.
- Experience in food preparation or handling ingredients (e.g. cutting, weighing, portioning).
- Good understanding of food safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
- Comfortable with manual handling and being on your feet for long periods.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Good communication and basic numerical skills, with the ability to follow instructions and complete simple paperwork.
- A flexible approach to shifts and willingness to support other areas when required.
- A proactive and reliable attitude with a strong focus on teamwork and quality.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Willingness to learn new skills and develop within the role.
At Greencore we put our people at the core. We celebrate their differences and help everyone to be themselves at work. Together we make every day taste better.
What you'll get in return:
- Competitive salary and job-related benefits.
- Holidays.
- Competitive matched pension contributions.
- Life insurance up to 4x salary.
- Company share save scheme.
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform.
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform.
Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training and development opportunities to further your career.
Prep Operative - Spalding employer: Greencore Group
Contact Detail:
Greencore Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prep Operative - Spalding
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Greencore and its values. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand what we do and why it matters. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though we’re all about food, looking smart and professional can give you that extra boost of confidence. Plus, it shows us you mean business!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and keeps you fresh in our minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Prep Operative - Spalding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience match the role of a Prep Operative. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Passion for Food: Let us know why you're excited about working in food manufacturing! Share any relevant experiences or interests that demonstrate your enthusiasm for preparing fresh ingredients and maintaining quality standards.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your sentences are easy to read and get straight to the important stuff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients you'll be working with as a Prep Operative. Understanding the basics of food preparation, such as washing, cutting, and measuring, will show your potential employer that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Safety First!
Brush up on food safety and hygiene standards before your interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a clean and safe work environment, which is crucial in food manufacturing.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Prepare examples of how you've worked effectively in a team before. Greencore values teamwork, so sharing experiences where you supported colleagues or contributed to group success will highlight your collaborative nature.
✨Flexibility is Key
Be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different shift patterns. Showing that you're flexible and open to supporting various areas of the operation will make you a more attractive candidate for the role.