Hygiene Manager Lead

Job Title: Hygiene Manager Lead

Location: Gloucester

JOB PURPOSE

The job holder will be responsible for ensuring all hygienic critical control points are managed proactively using HACCP

methodology and that hygienic best practices and standards are implemented and maintained. The job holder will ensure

that all hygiene and sanitation standards are met and maintained throughout the production process. Additionally, the job

holder will be required to provide technical advice and support to the factory in relation to food safety and will lead

improvement activities in this area.

The role holder is a key member within the Quality Team, reporting to Quality Manager.

This is predominantly a day-based role but with the flexibility and drive to support the factory as and when business needs

require.

Team Lead for: Hygiene technician.

KPIs:

Cleaning & Disinfection Programme, Hygiene & Housekeeping Programme, Allergen Management, Pest Control, Environmental

Monitoring.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and Implement Hygiene Protocols: Design and implement comprehensive hygiene protocols in compliance with local and national food safety regulations. Continuously assess and update protocols to align with evolving standards and industry best practices.
• Training and Education: Conduct regular training sessions for factory staff on proper hygiene practices, including handwashing techniques, sanitation procedures, and PPE usage. Ensure all employees are well-versed in hygiene protocols and adhere to established guidelines.
• Monitoring and Inspection: Implement systems for routine monitoring and inspection of factory facilities, equipment, and processes to identify potential hygiene risks. Conduct periodic audits to evaluate compliance with hygiene protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Hygiene Reporting: Coordinate and shadow hygiene audits conducted by regulatory agencies or third-party auditors. Prepare detailed reports outlining audit findings and recommendations for improvement. Implement corrective actions to address any identified non-compliance issues.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to integrate hygiene practices into overall quality management systems. Work closely with production and technical teams to ensure hygiene standards are maintained throughout the production process.
• Emergency Response Planning: Develop and implement emergency response plans for hygiene-related incidents, such as contamination outbreaks or equipment failures. Ensure all employees are trained in emergency procedures and can respond effectively to hygiene emergencies.
• Team Leadership: Lead and motivate a team of hygiene operatives. Provide guidance, training, and support to ensure operators perform their duties effectively and efficiently.Implement, maintain and verify comprehensive cleaning schedules for production equipment and the manufacturing environment.
• Allergen Management: Maintain a product and mix allergen matrix and put in place rules for segregation and cleaning. Provide expert input and guidance into management of allergen or lifestyle related product claims e.g. dairy free, vegan including maintaining cleaning schedules and determining validation procedures.Provide expert input into HACCP teams.Provide support and expert input to project teams for new products and processes.
• C&D: Lead cleaning and disinfection validation studies, providing technical expertise and conducting hygienic assessments. This includes verification of cleaning chemical dosing system by managing titration inspections at the defined frequency.
• Environment: Implement and/or maintain monitoring programmes for process and environmental microbiological hygiene indicators.
• Improvement: Lead improvement activity to increase the effectiveness of cleaning operations and hygiene standards across the site.
• Suppliers/Service Providers/Contractors: Manage the service contracts for third party hygiene service providers e.g. pest control, chemical suppliers and cleaning providers. Safe management of hygiene related site contractors, issuing permits as required. Identify and drive cost saving opportunities associated with cleaning, chemicals or hygiene in the site.
• Pest Control: Drive pest control programme for site by maintaining awareness driving completion of corrective actions.Manage the system for toxicological approval of food contact surfaces.
• Audits: Maintain FSSC 22000 certification taking ownership for hygiene aspects of the standard.

SCOPE OF ROLE              

• Represent the site on European working groups concerning hygiene or other food safety matters.

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Bringing technical expertise to understand quality issues and to implement improvements.

CHANGE

• Implementing changes to deliver compliance to standards or to drive improved quality performance.

Other Requirements:

• Competence in standard Microsoft applications.
• Competence in SAP applications would be an advantage.
• Driving licence holder would be an advantage.
• Some weekend / out of hours working.
• Occasional travel (UK and Europe).

ALL ABOUT YOU

Professional Qualifications:

(The minimum requirement from the JSP should be described, incl degrees/qualifications preferred, noting qualifications vary globally).

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in hygiene or food safety management.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP) and industry standards.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively train and motivate a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Certification in food safety preferred (FS Level 3).
• Educated to degree level the job holder will have a strong technical background and understanding of food safety management requirements.  Preferably university degree in technical discipline or general sciences. Working knowledge of FSSC or BRC.

Experience Required:

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Educated to degree level the job holder will have a strong technical background and understanding of hygiene and food safety requirements.
• Proven experience working within food manufacturing, with hygiene background.
• Previous experience working and deputising within a quality department.
• Qualification, training or proven experience in hygienic design and processes.
• Relevant experience in hygiene and food safety management.
• A real leader and a dynamic individual who is prepared to take responsibility for departmental and site issues leading to resolutions.
• Self-starter able to drive initiatives and solve problems when the arise without initial direction from their line manager.
• Commitment-Belief in own job and its value to the organisation, makes extra effort for the company.
• Good communication skills – verbal and written.
• Decisiveness –does not jump to conclusions and seeks a variety of solutions, analyses for best fit. Able and willing to make decisions.
• Initiative – Actively influencing events rather than passively accepting. Seizes opportunities when they arise and act on them. Originates action.
• Time & project management skills

Perferred:

• FMCG Manufacturing experience
• Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or Engineering degree

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’ 

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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