Job Description

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The Role
Due to the opening of our new factory and continued growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our busy hygiene team. Applications are welcome from inclusive, empathetic and thoughtful leaders, able to demonstrate experience in a similar environment and industry.
With strong people skills, the Hygiene Manager will have responsibility for a team of up to 20 operatives, managing and coaching as appropriate. Promoting the safe and efficient running of the shift, overseeing and monitoring of the hygiene process in all production areas and associated equipment. The HTM will ensure both industry and customer standards are maintained at all times, measuring KPI's and endeavouring to focus on continuous improvement.
As a key and pivotal part of the function and team, the Hygiene Manager also has responsibility for the management of the site, with accountability for both health & safety matters, site security and acting as main point of contact during the designated shift.
Key Responsibilities

• Problem Solving - Act as the first point of contact for operational issues during the night shift, escalating where necessary and driving timely resolution

• Lead and manage the hygiene team to deliver high standards of cleanliness across all factory areas
• Ensure (Hygiene) compliance with UK food safety legislation, HACCP, GMP, BRCGS Global Standards & Customer Codes of Practice
• Develop and implement effective cleaning schedules, ensuring validation and verification of all hygiene activities
• Operate within (or better) the departmental budgets for both labour costs as well as, chemicals & consumables
• Lead, motivate, and support night shift staff; manage rotas, allocate tasks, and ensure adequate staffing levels
• Day to day supervising of the hygiene night shift team
• Conducting 1 to 1 meetings, reviews and appraisals with staff
• Conduct hygiene audits, risk assessments, and microbiological swabbing to maintain product & factory integrity
• Ensuring delivery of agreed KPI's
• Continuous Improvement - Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance team performance during night operations
• Train and develop staff to embed a strong food safety and hygiene culture across the site

Hygiene & Cleaning

• Develop, implement, and maintain cleaning schedules across production areas, equipment, and facilities
• Supervise hygiene teams and ensure correct use of cleaning chemicals and sanitation equipment
• Validate and monitor cleaning processes to ensure effectiveness and efficiency
• Maintain detailed hygiene records for internal audits and customer/retailer requirements

Compliance & Food Safety

• Implement and manage hygiene systems in line with BRCGS Global Standards, HACCP, GMP, and retailer codes of practice
• Conduct regular hygiene risk assessments and microbiological swabbing to verify cleaning effectiveness
• Act as a key contact during internal, third-party, and regulatory audits (e.g., Environmental Health Officers)

Training & Culture

• Deliver hygiene and food safety training to production and sanitation staff
• Promote a strong hygiene and "right first time" culture throughout the factory

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and manage the hygiene team, including workforce planning, performance monitoring, and development
• Collaborate with production, quality assurance, compliance and engineering teams to minimise downtime during cleaning
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance hygiene standards and reduce costs

Working Conditions

• Factory/production floor-based role, requiring frequent inspections in wet, noisy, or cold environments
• Hands-on management of sanitation activities, ability to cover day & night teams

Requirements:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in hygiene or sanitation management within a food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
• Good knowledge of cleaning systems, chemicals, and relevant equipment
• IOSH Managing Safely
• CIEH Food Hygiene Level 3
• HACCP Level 2 (minimum)
• Level 3 NVQ / Diploma / ILM Leadership and Management
• Understanding of FMCG or fresh food sector is essential
• Good knowledge of HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, or other food safety management systems
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Self-motivating & able to drive teams to meet targets
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Mechanical aptitude / process machinery experience
• Certification in food safety, environmental health, or industrial hygiene (advantageous)
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Shift Pattern - Nights: 4 On 4 Off - 6pm - 6am (with the ability to cover day & night teams)
Benefits:
Why Work for Barfoots?

• Investors In People Silver Award status.
• Company pension scheme
• 24/7 Online GP access
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Benefits Platform
• Development opportunities
• Discounted leisure membership
• Discounted vegetable box scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Approved training centre for Highfield qualifications
• Rapidly growing company
• Committed to Sustainability - Using our waste to power our site!

Skills Required