Online retailer Amazon has announced it is hiring 2,700 seasonal staff in Scotland including 1,500 for Dunfermline to meet customer demand in the run-up to Christmas.
The US internet retailer, which is expanding its operations, said it is hiring more than 15,000 seasonal staff across the UK and expects hundreds of the temporary staff will later be able to take up permanent jobs.
Amazon said it is creating a variety of roles across its eight “fulfilment centres”, which include Dunfermline and its Edinburgh customer service centre.
Catherine McDermott, director of operations at Amazon.co.uk, said: “On our busiest shopping day last Christmas, customers ordered a total of 3.5 million items during one 24-hour period, at a rate of 44 items a second.
“During the Christmas season, seasonal associates play a critical role in making sure we meet increased demand from customers.
“As we continue to expand our UK operations, we expect many hundreds of these temporary associates to move into permanent positions, as has been the case in previous years.”
Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline is the biggest in the UK and was brought to Fife with the help of Regional Selective Assistance from the Scottish Government.
Amazon said last year it hired 10,000 seasonal staff in the run-up to the festive season and by the end of January had offered roles to 1,000 temporary workers.
Recruitment for the latest roles will be ongoing in the run-up to the Christmas period and prospective employees can apply online.
Amazon, which recently opened a 210,000 sq ft office in central London as it eyes its UK expansion, has more than 6,000 permanent employees in the UK.