Just Recruitment navigating it's way through the crisis

Just Recruitment navigating it's way through the crisis

After making some hard decisions and invoking a business continuity plan (devised several years ago) Just Recruitment is still very much open for business! Peter Foy explains how 

When the Coronavirus crisis hit the UK, Just Recruitment’s business fell off the proverbial cliff. In less than a week, over half of our revenue disappeared. Companies put recruitment on hold, clients that use temporary workers were suddenly planning for lockdown. Amidst the nationwide sense of concern, even panic, about the threat to health, there was also an underlying threat to the economy. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor both made bold promises about the help that will be available to companies like ours.

    Several years ago, Just Recruitment put together a business continuity plan that we have now invoked.  

Three weeks in and, where are we? Well, there are still many questions about how the financial assistance promised by the government will be delivered. Whether that be from HMRC or the banks, there remain questions as to how the process will work. At the time of writing, we have just been told that the lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks. There is still considerable uncertainty.

However, there is also a silver lining to this dark cloud. Several years ago, Just Recruitment put together a business continuity plan that we have now invoked. Of course, that plan did not include the use of furlough or social distancing. But it did anticipate a reduced workforce working from, either home or strategically chosen branches. The investment in technology that we made, which included our Private Cloud and Internet-based telephony, allowed the redeployment of people in minutes. A huge thank you to our technology partner, Lucid Systems, who have proved their worth over the past few weeks.

A significant part of the continuity plan was to maintain client contact. All our clients were facing the same issues we had. Obvious differences reflecting the different sectors, but we were up against very similar challenges. Several of them were closed, effectively on government instruction, but many of them are either in the food supply chain or the medical instrument supply chain. These companies faced all the problems of the virus while having to continue working. I am incredibly proud of how my colleagues stepped up to the plate to help these key companies. We have had regular conference calls where we have, very openly, shared plans and problems and work together to find solutions.

The nation quite rightly takes to the streets every Thursday evening to applaud our care workers. We should also remember and recognise, those individuals further down the supply chain. The men and women who are manning production lines, working in distribution centres and driving delivery trucks. Also, the people behind them, the folk in HR, logistics, finance and, of course, recruitment. It is said that in a battle, for every soldier on the front line there are 10 soldiers behind him; supporting him. The same is true of the Coronavirus frontlines; for them to do their vital work the entire supply chain has to keep working.

Of course, our business has taken a hit during the crisis. Our revenues are down, our profits disappeared, and half of our colleagues are on furlough. Only a fool would think that there is going to be a quick turnaround. But there will be a turnaround. The virus will be beaten and although the normality we return to will be a new normality, we will, to coin a phrase, meet again.

Speaking only for Just Recruitment, I am confident that the team I am part of will be stronger, more driven and more mature. The shared experience of this crisis has taught us we can depend on each other. It has given us all the opportunity to be pushed to the limit. Only a fool would wish to live through an event like the one we are experiencing, but the experience, once survived, will be transformational.

We are still in a dark place, but we are headed toward the light and, government restrictions notwithstanding, Just Recruitment is moving back to Business As Usual.

Published: 17 April 2020

© 2020 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you liked this article you may like to read: What has Coronavirus meant to Just Recruitment?

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Jobs currently available

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Warehouse Supervisor
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913695
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a growing organisation, based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add another Warehouse Supervisor to their team.

The key purpose of the role is to work closely with the senior management team, supervising the warehouse and completing all associated tasks as expected.

Duties include:

  • Manage employees’ day-to-day activities to ensure they are meeting their goals and deadlines
  • Supervise employees and direct work as they undertake activities related to returns, re-works, order fulfilment and order management
  • Monitor employee performance to ensure they are meeting company standards
  • Work closely with the General Manager to monitor staff levels and adjust accordingly
  • Perform regular Quality Audits, documenting the results
  • Work closely with the Customer Account Manager to ensure any issues are resolved quickly and effectively with minimal disruption to both the customer and the company
  • Ensure all Health & Safety regulations and relevant laws are adhered to
  • Monitor depot housekeeping, ensuring a clean and safe work area is maintained
  • Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure that work tasks are completed on time and within budget
  • Supervise the training of new employees
  • Coordinate with colleagues on the retrieval of stock replenishment and outsourced stock

Key requirements for this role:

  • Have previous warehouse experience or proven experience with a leadership position in a similar role
  • Have excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Have proven leadership and employee management skills
  • Have knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS)
  • Hold a valid Forklift Licence

This role is located in a great working environment with free parking available on-site.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to have access to your own transport.

Working hours:

8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
You are required to work 2 x Saturdays out of 4 (with a day off in lieu that week).

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £16.87 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0725
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Please note that due to the location, you will need access to your own transport.

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 1 hour lunch break. The company can be flexible and offer a 4 day week.

Free parking is available on-site.

You must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

This role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Perform bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and Petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Prepare weekly aged creditors reports and process weekly supplier payments, run accordingly.
  • Prepare monthly aged debtors reports and provide credit control where required.
  • Maintain cashflow forecast for the Finance Director to review.
  • Process monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Manage auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, Sage 50, and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Factory Operative (Nights)
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £15.27 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FO-0625
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Factory Operatives for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.~
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more