Amazon launches recruitment drive for 900 festive workers in Sutton and East Midlands warehouses

The retailer has partnered with the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce as part of the major recruitment drive to hire almost 1,000 employees at its four fulfilment centres in Sutton, Chesterfield, Coalville and Kegworth.

Amazon joined the chamber for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire as a strategic partner, as it hopes to recruit around 400 permanent workers before the end of the year.

This would increase the online e-commerce giant from 3,000 staff in the region to 3,400 workers, ahead of the new year.

Amazon’s UK operations director Jonatan Gal said: “Since 2010, we’ve made direct investments in our UK operations of more than £23bn.

“This includes both capital expenditure – such as the infrastructure we build, including our fulfilment centres – and operating expenditure, such as the jobs we create in the UK.

“Amazon prioritises the safety and health of its employees and has invested millions of pounds to provide a safe workplace.

“Our operation has grown significantly in the East Midlands, where the chamber of commerce has done so much for businesses of all sizes and sectors.

“We’re looking forward to working more closely with East Midlands Chamber and the wider business community.”

Amazon has more than 2.5 million square foot of warehouse space in the East Midlands – the equivalent size of 35 football pitches, with also a sorting centre and delivery station in Bardon.

The company’s workers pick, pack and ship orders from fulfillment centres, which are supported by Amazon’s robotics technology in some centres.

Robots slide under a tower of shelves where products are stowed, lift the batch and move it through the warehouse.

The business is offering roles in engineering, HR, IT, finance, health and safety and operations with salaries starting at £9.50 per hour.

Positions come with a range of benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount alongside a company pension plan.

The online business initially began operating in the East Midlands in 2016 when it opened a one million square foot warehouse in Coalville.

Amazon opened their warehouse in Sutton in October 7, following the successful launch of two 500,000 square foot fulfillment centres in Chesterfield and Kegworth.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles added: “The East Midlands is becoming a national – and indeed international – hub for logistics, and Amazon is one of our shining lights within a sector that has thrived during the pandemic.

“It’s great to see global firms setting down roots in the region and at a time when the employment market is facing many challenges, a significant number of high-quality jobs are being created by the likes of Amazon.

"It offers a great place to work with highly competitive pay, benefits from day one and training programmes for in-demand jobs.

“The Chamber is very keen to promote the huge influence these companies have on our local and national economy, and we look forward to working closely with Amazon to achieve this.”

The e-commerce company also runs a Career Choice programme that provides staff with adult education, offering to pre-pay 95% of tuition and associated fees for nationally-recognised courses, valued up to £8,000 over four years.

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