Turkey company Bernard Matthews is set to turn their fortunes around after a range of new deals with retailers.

Despite a £20.3m loss in 2013 forcing them to cut their work force, turkey firm Bernard Matthews are embarking on a recruitment drive according to Chief executive Rob Burnett.

More than ninety staff are being sought for the company’s South Site factory in Great Witchingham which is set to run at full capacity for the first time in six years after the business secured a number of deals with major retailers.

Mr Burnett is optimistic about 2015 which could see the company turn its fortunes around and launch a range of new products.

 “Our objective is to grow, and it is difficult to do that without creating jobs,” Mr Burnett said. “This is a statement of intent for us, with a clear agenda to grow the company.”

“This business has been built on product innovation. It is essential that we deliver new products in the way that Bernard did. “There’s plenty of that coming around the corner in 2015. Not every idea will work, but we have to have this as part of our strategy in the long term.”

“Our senior team has expanded and we have added some experience and bodies to areas that were underweight,” he added.

“We are now fit for purpose, and it’s all about the products.”

The undisclosed deals will see the company supply turkey joints, turkey crowns in addition to whole birds with their South Site running 52 weeks instead of 12.

Job roles will range from processing positions, to butchery and warehouse work. The business currently employing 1,850 people across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mr Burnett, who joined the company from frozen food producer Hain Daniels six months ago, said it was difficult to predict how the commodity prices would impact the company in the future.

“I think generally we have seen last year somewhat of calming [when it comes to feed costs].

“It is not so erratic as it was. But what we have got to make sure is that we are competitive, more efficient, and that we can offer more attractive products because the commodity prices will be the same for all our competitors.”