JJ Foodservice has today announced that 23% of its Enfield warehouse staff are now female, helping the wholesaler to exceed its target of 20%.
In 2017, JJ pledged to employ more females to encourage a greater diversity of talent in the business. Back then, only 4% of the Enfield warehouse team were female.
JJ’s Head of Operations, Sedat Kaan Hendekli said, “It’s important to have a diverse workforce at all levels – it helps to make our industry a more attractive place to work.”
Many JJ Managers start in warehouse roles, learning the job from the ground up. “It’s a great way in get more gender diversity into our talent pipeline,” added Hendekli.
JJ previously ran a Warehouse Women recruitment campaign which used female-friendly images in adverts to challenge the stereotype that warehouse jobs are only for men.
The campaign was so successful it has helped attract more females into nightshift positions. Hendekli said, “Our nightshift now has 5% female staff, versus 0% last year.”
To support the ongoing training and progression of the team, in October 2020, JJ recruited a Learning and Development Manager, Jaz Sandhu (pictured). The role has been created to increase training and progression within the business.
“We’ve just survived one of the toughest years in our 30-year history,” said Hendekli. “Our team is stronger than ever, and we are ready to take on 2021.”
JJ is a founding supporter of Women in Wholesale and the founder and organiser of Women in Fish and Chips – the UK’s first event dedicated entirely to female shop owners.