Date: 17 Aug 2026
Location: Belfast, GB
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Company: Hovis
Welcome to Hovis. We are the proud guardians of over 130 years of baking experience that make up our iconic and much-loved brand. We produce bread and bakery products created with Hovis goodness at the heart of each. We deliver around 1.3million loaves, every day of the week throughout the UK and Ireland, where we also make Mothers Pride and Ormo products.
We are 2,800 people working within 8 bakeries, 1 flour mill, and 2 regional distribution centres across the UK. Our success is a result of the hard work of our people; they are experts in their field whether it’s baking, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, or the many departments within the central functions team based in our head office in High Wycombe. We are a values-led business and expect our colleagues to live, breathe, and embed Quality, Accountability, and Trust into their ways of working.
PURPOSE:
To manage, develop and lead the Hygiene team to ensure the highest standards of factory hygiene are maintained, delivering compliance with food safety and health and safety, whilst supporting the manufacturing environment in line with Hovis supply chain business requirements.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Hygiene Management
Lead and manage all hygiene operations to ensure cleaning activities are completed effectively and safely.
Develop, implement, and maintain hygiene standards and cleaning schedules across the site.
Verify cleaning effectiveness through inspections, audits, and performance monitoring.
Ensure hygiene practices comply with company procedures, customer standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Support and prepare for internal, customer, and third-party audits.
People Management
Demonstrate visible leadership for the team, to be a role model for Hovis culture.
Lead, coach, and develop the hygiene team to achieve operational and business objectives.
Manage labour resources to ensure effective staffing levels across all shifts.
Conduct recruitment, induction, training, and succession planning activities.
Manage employee performance through regular reviews, objective setting, and coaching.
Handle employee relations matters including disciplinary processes, absence management, grievance handling, and wellbeing support.
Manage holiday planning and workforce scheduling to ensure adequate operational coverage.
Deliver regular team communications and engagement activities.
Pest Control Management
Manage the site pest control programme in conjunction with KIWA quarterly audits.
Review pest activity trends and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.
Ensure all pest control activities are compliant with legislative, customer, and site requirements.
Conduct routine inspections and maintain associated records.
Food Safety and Compliance
Ensure the hygiene team operates in compliance with all site standards, food safety policies, GMP requirements, and customer expectations.
Maintain hygiene documentation, records, and KPIs to demonstrate compliance.
Investigate compliance failures and implement corrective and preventative actions.
Support site food safety culture initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
Health & Safety Compliance
Take responsibility for health and safety performance within the hygiene department.
Promote a positive safety culture and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies and procedures.
Conduct accident and incident investigations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Drive hazard reporting, risk assessments, and safe working practices.
Ensure all team members receive appropriate health and safety training.
Waste and Recycling Management
Lead site recycling and waste management initiatives to improve environmental performance.
Monitor waste streams and identify opportunities to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.
Ensure waste management processes comply with environmental and legislative requirements.
Deliver sustainability projects that support business objectives and cost reduction targets.
Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement improvements to hygiene processes, systems, and standards.
Analyse performance data and KPIs to drive efficiencies and improve team effectiveness.
Lead or support continuous improvement projects across the site.
Encourage team development and promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
Essential Criteria
Experience managing a team
Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Able to demonstrate exceptional communication skills
Ability to make decisions and can display problem solving skills
Experience with using computer-based manufacturing systems and MS Office
Desirable Criteria
Supervisory experience in a similar role within the food industry
Experience of working in a hygiene role
Food Hygiene Qualifications
Pest Control Qualification
COSHH and IOSH training
Train the trainer
Internal Auditing qualification
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS
Flexibility to adapt to changes in schedules.
Resource Planning.
Ability to implement and introduce new systems and practices.
Capability to motivate others.
Ability to complete tasks within schedules.
Strong Communicator (verbal & written).
Excellent People Management, Coaching & Team Building skills.
Ability to create strong and effective cross-functional relationships.
Ability to demonstrate “Values” based behaviour and lead the cultural task of front-line employee empowerment.
Committed to continually improve personal and team performance.
Strong Project and Follow-up skills.
Excellent Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and commitment to Health & Safety.
KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of Hygiene & Pest Control processes
Experience of Hygiene systems, processes, policies and procedures
Knowledge of Health & Safety within a manufacturing environment
Knowledge of Manufacturing environment including HACCAP, Food Safety and Health & Safety legislative requirements
IOSH
Why work for us and our benefits:
At Hovis, we understand the importance of looking after our colleagues, so we provide a variety of benefits in addition to their salaries. The benefits we provide at Hovis are as varied as the people who receive them but they are offered with the intention of creating value to them personally over and above their salaries
There is a range of colleague benefits available, which individuals can select based on their needs.
Our benefits scheme is called Hovis Choice, which offers a variety of savings and cashback offers on day to day living and much more including eyecare vouchers, and a healthcare scheme to suit everyone. It also includes our Cycle to Work scheme where you can obtain a brand new bike at a significant saving
We offer competitive annual leave entitlement and flexibility where possible in order to create a healthy work-life balance
We celebrate loyalty with our generous long service and colleague recognition schemes
We offer three levels of pensions
Hovis values diversity and is committed to promoting equal opportunities in the workplace. Every job applicant, employee or worker will be treated fairly and equally with dignity and respect regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, social class, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, union membership, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.
