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
1. Problem Solving – Act as the first point of contact for operational issues during the night shift, escalating where necessary and driving timely resolution
2. Lead and manage the hygiene team to deliver high standards of cleanliness across all factory areas
3. Ensure (Hygiene) compliance with UK food safety legislation, HACCP, GMP, BRCGS Global Standards & Customer Codes of Practice
4. Develop and implement effective cleaning schedules, ensuring validation and verification of all hygiene activities
5. Operate within (or better) the departmental budgets for both labour costs as well as, chemicals & consumables
6. Lead, motivate, and support night shift staff; manage rotas, allocate tasks, and ensure adequate staffing levels
7. Day to day supervising of the hygiene night shift team
8. Conducting 1 to 1 meetings, reviews and appraisals with staff
9. Conduct hygiene audits, risk assessments, and microbiological swabbing to maintain product & factory integrity
10. Ensuring delivery of agreed KPI's
11. Continuous Improvement – Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance team performance during night operations
12. Train and develop staff to embed a strong food safety and hygiene culture across the site
Hygiene & Cleaning
13. Develop, implement, and maintain cleaning schedules across production areas, equipment, and facilities
14. Supervise hygiene teams and ensure correct use of cleaning chemicals and sanitation equipment
15. Validate and monitor cleaning processes to ensure effectiveness and efficiency
16. Maintain detailed hygiene records for internal audits and customer/retailer requirements
Compliance & Food Safety
17. Implement and manage hygiene systems in line with BRCGS Global Standards, HACCP, GMP, and retailer codes of practice
18. Conduct regular hygiene risk assessments and microbiological swabbing to verify cleaning effectiveness
19. Act as a key contact during internal, third-party, and regulatory audits (, Environmental Health Officers)
Training & Culture
20. Deliver hygiene and food safety training to production and sanitation staff
21. Promote a strong hygiene and “right first time” culture throughout the factory
Leadership & Collaboration
22. Lead and manage the hygiene team, including workforce planning, performance monitoring, and development
23. Collaborate with production, quality assurance, compliance and engineering teams to minimise downtime during cleaning
24. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance hygiene standards and reduce costs
Working Conditions
25. Factory/production floor-based role, requiring frequent inspections in wet, noisy, or cold environments
26. Hands-on management of sanitation activities, ability to cover day & night teams
Requirements
27. Minimum 3–5 years of experience in hygiene or sanitation management within a food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
28. Good knowledge of cleaning systems, chemicals, and relevant equipment
29. IOSH Managing Safely
30. CIEH Food Hygiene Level 3
31. HACCP Level 2 (minimum)
32. Level 3 NVQ / Diploma / ILM Leadership and Management
33. Understanding of FMCG or fresh food sector is essential
34. Good knowledge of HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, or other food safety management systems
35. Proven leadership and team management skills
36. Self-motivating & able to drive teams to meet targets
37. Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
38. Mechanical aptitude / process machinery experience
39. Certification in food safety, environmental health, or industrial hygiene (advantageous)
40. 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?
41. Investors In People Silver Award status.
42. Company pension scheme
43. 24/7 Online GP access
44. Life Assurance
45. Employee Assistance Program
46. Benefits Platform
47. Development opportunities
48. Discounted leisure membership
49. Discounted vegetable box scheme
50. Cycle to work scheme
51. Free onsite parking
52. Approved training centre for Highfield qualifications
53. Rapidly growing company
54. Committed to Sustainability - Using our waste to power our site!