When it comes to meeting demand for its busy holiday season, The Honey Baked Ham Company LLC can't have "too many cooks in the kitchen or shippers in the warehouse."

Known for its signature, spiral-sliced Honey Baked Ham, the company plans to hire 12,000 seasonal employees to help it meet the annual rush for its ham, turkey breast and other products that have become a tradition during the holidays.

"From Thanksgiving to the start of the new year, we serve more than 2.5 million consumers," said Molly Kesmodel, the HoneyBaked Ham senior vice president who oversees the company's 400 stores nationwide.  "Each year we count on seasonal employees to help us serve our customers and their families during this special time of the year."

The company is filling a wide range of positions including: customer service, production and sales associates. Kesmodel said HoneyBaked Ham's hiring plans this year are a significant boost over 2015 when it added 10,000 seasonal workers.  "As the economy has improved, we have seen an increase in demand for our products and expect we will need additional staff this year," she said.

A family-owned business founded in 1957, many of HoneyBaked Ham's seasonal employees have gone on to great careers at the company. Ryan Sheldon, a district manager in HoneyBaked Ham's Texas and Michigan markets, started as a seasonal employee before becoming a permanent employee in 2000 in Michigan.

"At the time, I was just trying to make a little extra money during the holidays," said Sheldon.  "As I got to know the company, I found I really enjoyed the work and I loved the people, so I decided to make a career here."

Interested applicants for the seasonal positions can apply here: www.honeybakedcareers.com or at any HoneyBaked Ham store.