Hygiene Manager

The Compleat Food Group Limited; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Hygiene Manager (Nights) to oversee hygiene standards across the site. This role involves managing a team, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and preparing for audits. Candidates should have substantial leadership experience in a food production setting and a strong understanding of hygiene principles. The position is primarily night-based, with a competitive salary between £55,000 and £60,000 per annum.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Hygiene Manager in food manufacturing required.
• Proven people management skills in a high-paced environment.
• Knowledge of microbiology testing and BRC standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the hygiene function and the hygiene team.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene regulations and cleaning schedules.
• Prepare for audits and investigate hygiene-related incidents.

Skills

Food safety legislation knowledge

Leadership experience

Problem-solving ability

Communication skills

Education

Level 2 & 3 Food Safety & Hygiene

ESOL Level 2 or equivalent

IOSH Health & Safety qualification

Job description

The Compleat Food Group
Milton Keynes
£55,000 – £60,000 per annum
Predominantly Night-Based Role

About The Compleat Food Group

The Compleat Food Group is one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers, committed to delivering high-quality, safe and innovative products.

Our Milton Keynes site is a key part of our operation, and we’re now looking for an experienced Hygiene Manager (Nights) to lead hygiene standards across the site and support our ongoing commitment to food safety and compliance.

The Role

Reporting to the Site Head of Technical, the Hygiene Manager (Nights) will be responsible for ensuring exceptional hygiene standards across the factory, with a strong focus on people leadership, food safety, audit readiness and continuous improvement.

This role is predominantly night-based, with the core shift starting at 20:00. Based on a 40-hour working week, finish times will typically fall in the early morning, depending on operational requirements and completion of hygiene activities.

While the majority of working hours will be at night, the role also requires:

• Attendance once per week during afternoon hours for coordination, handover or planning
• Occasional daytime support, only where operationally required
• Participation in a weekly meeting at 15:00 (can be attended via Microsoft Teams)

Previous night-shift hygiene experience is not essential; however, strong leadership experience in a food manufacturing hygiene role is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Full people management responsibility for the hygiene function, including Hygiene Team Leaders, Hygiene Operatives, Nightshift Hygiene Support (Engineering) and Facility Cleaners (AM & PM)
• Recruit, train, develop and motivate a high-performing hygiene team
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records for all hygiene operatives

Hygiene, Food Safety & Compliance

• Own and maintain the site Hygiene Manual, including cleaning work instructions and schedules
• Ensure cleaning schedules are adhered to and remain valid and up to date
• Develop safe systems of work and CIC cards for new equipment
• Manage site environmental monitoring, cleaning swabs and the Listeria Monitoring Plan, including root cause analysis of failures
• Sign off inspections following equipment cleaning and engineering maintenance

Audits, Investigations & Continuous Improvement

• Support preparation for BRC and other external audits
• Investigate hygiene-related incidents, non-conformances, swab failures and audit findings to prevent re-occurrence
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement projects relating to hygiene and cleaning effectiveness

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH and environmental requirements
• Lead accident, incident and near-miss investigations
• Ensure risk assessments are completed, reviewed and communicated
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, safety and equipment maintenance
• Take responsibility for contractors and visitors within your area

Site & Stock Management

• Manage hygiene consumables, including high-care PPE and cleaning materials
• Oversee pest control actions on site
• Provide technical information to internal and external stakeholders as required

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Previous experience as a Hygiene Manager (or equivalent) within a food manufacturing environment
• Proven people management or supervisory experience
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-risk food production setting

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation and hygiene principles
• Excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills
• High attention to detail and strong problem‑solving ability
• Knowledge of microbiology testing, BRC standards and quality management systems (desirable)

Qualifications

• Level 2 & 3 Food Safety & Hygiene
• ESOL Level 2 or equivalent
• IOSH Health & Safety qualification (desirable)

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own‑label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added‑value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant‑based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.