Cadbury begins search for 100 new workers at Bournville
Cadbury is set to start recruiting for 100 new roles at Bournville as part of US-owner Kraft's plans for the firm.
Graeme Brown
Kraft announced two job creation programmes a year on from its controversial £11.7 billion hostile takeover of Cadbury, which triggered waves of protests from unions and politicians.
Cadbury is recruiting 50 new "expert position" jobs at its research and development arm at Bournville while another 50 jobs are on the way to the factory's customer service and logistics department from April.
The firm is laying on an open evening for the new customer service jobs from 5 to 8pm next Thursday, February 17, at Bournville.
Customer services director Phil Hartshorne said: "We're building a new team here at Bournville and these roles will offer opportunities to progress within the business.
"The jobs are in customer service and finance administration and it's another vote of confidence in Bournville following the decision to base the global chocolate centre of excellence here."
Meanwhile, the 50 new "expert" roles will be based in the research and development arm following Kraft's decision to make the Birmingham factory the heart of its global chocolate R&D.
Last year Kraft unveiled plans to create a worldwide 'Centre of Excellence' at Bournville, to drive new product development, new technologies and best practices for brands such as Dairy Milk, Flake and Creme Egg.
Nick Bunker, president of Kraft Foods UK and Ireland, said: "We are extremely pleased with our performance in our first year operating as a combined company in the UK.
"We are investing significantly in Research and Development, in our manufacturing plants and our iconic UK brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Kenco, Philadelphia and Dairylea continue to perform well under the stewardship of Kraft Foods."