Food Industry Recruitment Southampton

At Peak Recruitment, we specialise in food industry recruitment in Southampton, helping food manufacturing businesses secure the talent they need to grow. The food sector in this region is both established and adaptive, with companies ranging from global processors to specialist food producers operating across the south coast. We work alongside these organisations, delivering recruitment support that is informed, practical and outcome-driven.

Food production has a long history in Southampton, influenced by its role as a port city with direct access to key trade routes. Historically, the city has seen the rise of major employers such as Associated British Ports and a number of logistics firms handling food imports and storage. Southampton has also been home to dairy producers, flour mills, meat processors and cold chain distributors supporting both domestic and international food supply. This industrial base continues to shape today’s hiring needs, with an ongoing demand for people who understand the mechanics of food manufacturing and supply chain operations.

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Bespoke Recruitment Agency for the Food Industry

Our team of recruitment specialists focuses entirely on the food sector. We support businesses seeking professionals across a broad range of functions, including technical, operational, quality, compliance and supply chain. What sets us apart from more generalist recruitment agencies in the food industry is our commitment to depth. We invest time in understanding each client’s business, its products, culture and management style, so that we can match candidates who offer more than just the right skills on paper.

The recruitment process is, for us, about making connections that last. Whether we are helping a food production business find a new technical manager or a safety manager with the right blend of qualifications and frontline experience, we approach each project with careful planning and attention to detail. Our years of experience in this field allow us to identify both the must-haves and the intangibles that make a placement successful.

Southampton’s food industry continues to evolve. The city’s proximity to key transport networks and growing retail demand has led to expansion across fresh and frozen food categories. In particular, food manufacturers in this region have become more reliant on streamlined supply chain models, which in turn drives demand for staff with strong planning and operational awareness. We work closely with employers to source candidates who understand how to manage volume, meet deadlines and uphold health and safety standards.

Are You Looking for Food Industry Recruitment in Southampton?

As a specialist recruitment agency, we are equipped to support not just volume hiring but also more targeted executive search assignments. We regularly assist clients seeking mid to senior-level appointments, especially in technical and compliance roles where understanding of regulation and site-level leadership is essential. For example, we’ve helped businesses find safety managers with food-specific H&S knowledge, as well as technical leaders with a track record in audit readiness, allergen control and hygiene improvement.

Each recruitment brief is handled by a dedicated consultant who acts as a single point of contact throughout. That means clear updates, honest conversations and recommendations shaped by real insight. We work closely with management teams to ensure that any hire we support will meet both the immediate job requirements and the longer-term direction of the business.

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Candidates who come to us are often already working in the food sector, but looking for the next move where they can build on their experience. We provide guidance on opportunities that match both their technical background and career ambitions, and we represent them in a way that reflects their professionalism. Our aim is to make the process straightforward on both sides, whether the role is based in Southampton itself or across surrounding areas in Hampshire and the South East.

From production planners to line leaders, supply chain specialists to quality technicians, we place people who know how food businesses work. We know that the pressure points are real – tight lead times, stringent standards, and a need to adapt quickly when conditions shift. That’s why we don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead, every recruitment assignment is shaped to fit the unique demands of the business we’re supporting.

If you are a food manufacturing company based in Southampton and looking to strengthen your team, we can help you find the people who will make a difference. If you are a candidate with experience in the food sector and looking for a new challenge, we’d be happy to talk through your options.