England-based JJ Foodservice has 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.
“It’s important to have a diverse workforce at all levels – it helps to make our industry a more attractive place to work,” said JJ’s Head of Operations Sedat Kaan Hendekli.
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,” said 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. “Our nightshift now has 5% female staff, versus 0% last year,” said Hendekli.
To increase training and progression within the busines, JJ recruited Learning and Development Manager Jaz Sandhu (pictured) in October 2020.
“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.
