KQF expansion creates new jobs

Halal food manufacturer KQF has announced the recruitment of several new employees as part of its continuing plans for expansion, which have included the launch of new product ranges, new contract manufacturing agreements and the acquisition of a new superstore in Blackburn.

Notable appointments include Zahir Patel to the role of key trade account manager and Ilyas Akubat, who joins as manager of the KQF Superstore on Whalley Range.

Both the new recruits have impressive track records in the retail trade – Zahir having previously worked for Graham & Brown and, prior to joining KQF, as a retail development executive for GlaxoSmithKline, where he worked with well known brands such as Ribena and Lucozade.

Ilyas is a highly experienced store manager who has spent more than twenty-five years in the industry. He most recently managed a forecourt retail outlet that secured a national award for excellence in customer service and, working alongside KQF managing director Faruk Vali, he will now be leading the transformation of the superstore.

Other new appointments include two new reception and administration staff, Fawzia Khan and Sadya Sange; a new accounts support executive, Ammar Patel; and three new customer support staff – Iram Khan, Umar Patel and Rashida Ali – all of whom will be based at the Blackburn superstore.

“The changes at KQF are now picking up pace,” said managing director Faruk Vali. “Consequently, we need additional staff to deal with the increasing volumes of business and a more diverse range of activities. It’s all moving in a very positive direction and I’m confident that we’re building up the right mix of skills and experience to maintain steady but controlled growth.” As part of the same process, administration executive Farzana Khan has been promoted to the post of office manager and production manager Shaukat Ahmed will be supporting the expansion of the company’s contract manufacturing operations by assuming the role of key account manager for private label customers.