Bakery and food service packaging company Southern Champion Tray recently purchased Fairfield-based Honeymoon Paper Products. The acquisition by Southern Champion enhances the corrugated product offering with new production capability. It also finds it looking to add to its staffing.
Southern Champion Tray is recruiting for 12 full-time manufacturing positions, including include packers, stackers, assistant operators, and two maintenance technicians for its Fairfield facility at 7100 Dixie Highway.
It’s hosting a job fair there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Interested candidates should visit www.sctray.com/join-our-team and click “apply now.”
SCT has been manufacturing and distributing sustainable paperboard and corrugated packaging, food and drink carriers and molded fiber tableware to bakery, food service and catering customers across the United States and in nearly two dozen export markets since 1927. The transaction gives it office, manufacturing and distribution facilities in Chattanooga; Mansfield, Texas; and Fairfield.
“We know potential candidates are concerned about safety with COVID-19,” said Steve Stephens, the company’s director of finance. “SCT has implemented guidelines to enhance the protection of our team members, like wearing face protection, increased sanitizing measures, social distancing, and protective barriers at work stations.”
We spoke with Stephens and T. W. Francescon, corporate director of human resources, about the company’s hiring effort. Here’s what they had to say.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing Southern Champion Tray and other such similar companies and how is the company uniquely positioned to address that challenges?
A: (SS) “The impact of COVID-19 on work and daily life is a continuing reality. As the nation reopens, we are faced with increasing demand from a changing marketplace. Most restaurants, especially in fast food, have seen significant increases in the carry-out business. The breadth of Southern Champion’s product line is uniquely suited to meet this demand.”
Q: Some job seekers are concerned about the limits of advancement within a company or an industry. To what degree can your employees advance from entry-level roles to be promoted to greater positions within the company?
A: (TWF) “Many of our team members have been with the company for a long time. We have a long history of promoting from within and look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for our team members to cross-train, advance, and grow between departments and shifts.”
Q: What is the most prevalent roadblock that the company encounters when it comes to hiring and what can job seekers do to remedy that situation?
A: (TWF) “Finding great talent is a challenge all companies face. For Southern Champion, we believe how we work together is an important part of who we are. We are seeking to strengthen our team by attracting and holistically cultivating a talented and diverse workforce of individuals who are focused on doing their jobs with excellence while living out our values of being trustworthy, servant-hearted, relational, and resourceful.
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