Name: Gemma Thomas
Job title: customer service executive
Company name: Sharpak – a Groupe Guillin company
Sales: c£350M turnover
HQ location: corporate HQ in Ornans, France. In the UK there are sites at Yate, Bridgwater and Aylesham
Staff numbers: c600 in UK

What's it like to work for your company? 

Sharpak is a great company to work for, but it's a challenge to work in the food packaging industry. We have to be quick on our feet and always insightful.

Why is it a good employer? 

Sharpak is very conscious of developing the strengths of its team.

What's the best thing about working there? 

Sharpak is big enough to have a variety of roles on offer.

Does the company offer any unusual benefits?

Yes, we have free ice lollies in the summer!

How does the company differ from its rivals? 

We have worked hard to address the environmental changes in our industry. We have developed products such as our c-Low punnet, the lowest carbon punnet on the market.

Is there a definable company culture? 

Definitely. We are a relentless bunch, all with our own individual qualities.

If the company were a car what would it be and why? 

Reliable, quick when required, built to last, great value for money and environmentally friendly.

What's the training like and what qualifications can I earn? 

Job-specific training such as engineering, production, health and safety, lean manufacturing and quality. Employee development is available in the form of professional and formal qualifications in sales and marketing, accounts, HR and IT.

What's your proudest achievement in the past 12 months? 

I am proud to be part of the team that is integrating Sharpak with Groupe Guillin.

What is the most important HR issue at the moment? 

Attracting and retaining the best engineering skills is probably a UK-wide issue for manufacturers. Our apprenticeship schemes, which we run at both our Yate and Bridgwater sites very successfully, are our way of doing something about it.

Are you looking for any people right now? 

The business is growing and we will continue to look for skilled and enthusiastic people to join the team

How does one go about applying for a job? 

Anyone interested in working for Sharpak should apply direct to the HR dept with CV and covering letter.

What tips would you offer jobseekers? 

Research the company and industry prior to interview. Be yourself, and honest about yourself.

Is the company working on anything exciting right now? 

We focus on sustainable solutions rather than "greenwash" marketing headlines. We were a frontrunner in the use of r-PET and are now looking to material science to modify its characteristics for a wide range of applications. We are also developing our c-Low punnets, currently available for mushrooms only, across a much wider range of foods, so watch this space!

Topics