20 new recruits for surplus food and drink business

Online surplus food and drink retailer Approved Food and sister company Morris & Son are continuing on their impressive growth trajectory with the addition of 20 new members of staff so far this year.

New recruits across the group include a purchasing manager, technical director, international trading director, business development managers and a software developer who has rejoined after recently returning from Australia.

Purchasing manager Stuart Grimes joins the Barnsley-based outfit with a wealth of experience, having previously been with Poundland, Holland & Barrett and JTF.

Business development manager Darren Wall was previously with Brandchoice in Liverpool whilst Nick Sharp was with Asda prior to joining the sales team.

Richard Peacock has been appointed technical director while software developer Simon Colohan returns to the group after a three-year stint in Australia with Ladbrokes. Chris Ellis, formerly with Sheffield based Pricecheck, has joined as international trading director while Lydia Rae has joined the ecommerce marketing team.

Looking after the company’s alternative on-line channel operations is Alex Goodliffe previously with Walker Singleton while charity volunteer Neil Waine has already overseen donations of thousands of items to good causes around Yorkshire and beyond.

A total of 11 new starters have been taken on to fulfil roles on the shop floor and in operations.

Managing director Andy Needham said the team had grown significantly since the start of the year, underlining the business’ ambitions after the recent relocation to new premises in Barnsley.

“We are determined to build the strongest, most talented team to enable us to continue to deliver the very best value and service to our customers,” said Andy. “They each bring a fantastic range of skills and experience to the table and will prove invaluable as we continue to grow.

“We have an amazing team spirit and our new recruits have all fitted in brilliantly. I’m delighted to welcome these dedicated individuals to the team and am proud to continue to be contributing to our local economy by creating jobs when so many businesses are unfortunately having to lay people off.”

The new faces join an enthusiastic and dedicated team, some of whom have been with the business for many years. Five of the original team remain from when Andy acquired Morris & Son from Stephen Jacobs 17 years ago, while a further seven have retired in the past 12 months.

Approved Food specialises in the sale of surplus food, drink, household essentials and beauty products. The range includes items that are close to or just past their ‘best before’ date, ensuring that rather than going to waste, these perfectly edible products are used rather than thrown away.

Morris & Son is a specialist residual stock management business, clearing problem products for major manufacturers and distributers throughout the UK and supplying them on into the ‘value sector’.