6 reasons why food manufacturers should recruit in the new year
Some of the UK’s top talent will be searching for new manufacturing jobs in January 2026, refreshed and rearing to go after the holiday. For food manufacturers, it’s prime time to fill critical jobs and skills gaps, and hire talented candidates to support new growth projects.
The ‘January jobs rush’ saw 4m people search for a new role at the beginning of 2025, driven by higher salaries and a better work-life balance. In 2024, 42% of employees were looking for a fresh role for the new year, with a quarter of turnover related to stress and burnout in October.
Key summary:
- January is the best time for food manufacturers to recruit because many candidates are actively searching for new roles, so you could have access to a wider pool of talent
- It also means you’ll have time to properly train and onboard new starters, and hire in line with your annual budget, objectives and growth strategies
- Corvin Fox helps food manufacturers recruit skilled professionals throughout the year, with a five-step process that could see your new hire start in as little as five weeks
What we will cover:
- Is January a good time to hire?
- How can a specialist recruiter help?
- January recruitment FAQs
Is January a good time to hire?
January is one of the best times to start recruitment for the year, and hire and onboard new starters while productivity is traditionally low. Food manufacturers can get support from a specialist recruiter like Corvin Fox, with jobs taking as little as five weeks to fill, in time for quarter two.
Here are 6 reasons why you should begin recruitment in January.
Support growth strategies
Small to medium sized (SMB) manufacturers have ambitious growth plans, with two thirds (64%) aiming to grow into large businesses by 2035. There is also significant change and innovation in the sector with AI and sustainability.
So food manufacturers need to prioritise hiring specialists such as a business development manager at the start of the year, who can drive growth projects and help them to meet yearly business objectives. For example, half of manufacturers are planning to increase digital transformation in the next year, so a specialist with expertise in process optimisation or technology like AI can help them roll out new tools successfully and transform operations.
Tackle skills shortages
While research suggests employers are cautious in December 2025 following a weakened labour market, food manufacturers are facing recruitment and skills shortages, which are often cited top barriers to growth. With candidates actively searching for roles in January, it’s a good time to source top talent to overcome skills gaps.
There is a shortage of green talent across manufacturing, while 81% of manufacturers agree digital skills are harder to acquire because they are more competitive.
Plan ahead
Many food manufacturers have already decided on their business goals for 2026 – whether that’s digital transformation, launching new products or focusing on specific product categories. By starting recruitment earlier in the year – when the candidate pool is typically larger – you can source talent to place throughout the year to meet these objectives. You can also identify the new roles needed and plan your budget accordingly, especially before the new fiscal year.
It can also help to reduce urgent hires later in the year, although Corvin Fox can support urgent hiring needs, since it has a network of over 600 interim professionals, who can step into critical roles in just 48 hours.
“Corvin Fox’s approach is marked by collaboration and listening, which is why we’ve managed to secure some great permanent and temporary team members over the last several years. They always take on board our challenges and requirements, putting forward the best candidates based on expertise, cultural fit and the right level of experience for the salary budget we’re recruiting at.”
- James Barker, CEO at Burgess Farm
Increased candidate pool
In 2024, 42% of employees were looking for a new job in January. The ‘new year, new me’ trend often results in an increase in job applications at the start of the year too. With a larger candidate pool, you can source candidates with the ideal skills to match your job requirements and fit your company culture.
Time to train and onboard
December can be the busiest time of year for food manufacturers because it falls within retail’s ‘Golden Quarter’, with total manufacturing output reaching £155.6bn in December 2024. Food and drink sales are particularly high at this time of year, with major retailers like M&S recording an 8.7% increase in sales to £2.5bn from the 13 weeks to 28 December 2024.
Orders and output tend to fall in January, which means you have more time to recruit, especially for those roles you paused during Christmas and New Years. It also means you have more time to deliver quality training and onboarding for new starters before production picks back up.
High competition
By starting recruitment earlier in the year, you can attract talented candidates before your competitors do. Well over half (59%) of job seekers are motivated by pay increases of up to 13%, followed by a better work-life balance (25%), job security (37%) and flexible working hours (37%). By putting together a competitive benefits package – and listening to what candidates want – you could stand out as the best employer.
How can a specialist recruiter help?
A specialist recruiter can help you source and hire talented professionals in your sector, whether that’s in January when hiring is at its peak or during busier periods throughout the year. Corvin Fox has over 15 years’ experience recruiting skilled professionals for food manufacturers such as Muntons, Gü and FreshPak.
The five-week recruitment process enables manufacturers to recruit for a variety of roles (such as permanent, interim and executive/c-suite) in January, ready for the year ahead. It covers headhunting, job ads, culture assessments, interviews, onboarding and post-hire care.
Get in touch to discuss your new year recruitment plans.
January recruitment FAQs
What is the busiest hiring season for food manufacturers?
The start of the year is typically the busiest hiring period for food manufacturers, with many advertising new roles in January. Successful candidates can start in February or March depending on their notice period. Corvin Fox supports food manufacturers with recruitment in as little as five weeks, helping you hire the best candidates quickly.
Is there a skills shortage in food manufacturing?
The global manufacturing sector is facing a significant skills shortage, with many food manufacturers lacking digital and green skills. Some manufacturers are prioritising reskilling and upskilling in the next year, while others are using automation to overcome it. Food manufacturing is highly specialised, so it’s essential manufacturers have access to a wide talent pool when they need it and to support growth plans.
What is the average salary in manufacturing UK?
Research suggests the average manufacturing salary is £41,220 – which is 8% higher than the national average. Of course this varies depending on the role. From 2026, millions of employees in the UK are set to get pay rises as the minimum wage increases across all age groups.
