SENIOR managerial posts are to be axed at Nestl Rowntree's former cocoa processing operation, it was revealed today.

US family-owned firm Cargill Incorporated has confirmed it will make five redundancies among its management team - only months after it was predicted its take over could lead to more jobs and bigger expansion.

But a spokesman said it hoped to accommodate them elsewhere within the company. The Evening Press recently reported Cargill had taken over Nestl's cocoa bean activities at the Wigginton Road chocolate factory, employing all of its 27-strong workforce.

Nestl said the sale was necessary because of cheaper cocoa processing in Third World countries.

But bosses predicted it could actually lead to further expansion and employment on the site, as Cargill looked to supply to other chocolate makers.

GMB union organiser John Kirk, who represents the Cargill workforce, said the job losses were part of a management reorganisation brought about because of Cargill's take over of Nestl's cocoa operations.

But he confirmed that at least four new posts were being offered at the plant to those affected by the redundancies.

"All those displaced staff are being asked to go for the vacant positions," he said.

"We're now entering into the consultation process with Cargill and we want to bring a speedy conclusion to this."

A spokesman for Cargill Incorporated said: "Following a review of operations to improve efficiencies at the Cargill Cocoa Processing Plant in York, a decision has been made to change the shift process resulting in five positions disappearing.

"On February 17, we entered into a voluntary consultation period with those affected.

"However, we are hopeful that we can accommodate some, if not all, of the jobholders elsewhere within Cargill."

Nestl has also sold its primary cocoa processing plants in Italy, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the US and facilities in Brazil and Mexico.

Updated: 09:29 Friday, February 25, 2005