Hygiene Manager

Overview

An established and high-volume food manufacturing site is seeking an experienced Hygiene Manager to lead and develop the site hygiene function. Reporting into the Technical / Site Leadership team, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring all hygiene operations meet food safety, legal and customer standards within a fast-paced poultry processing environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong knowledge of environmental hygiene, microbiological control, audit standards and team management. The Hygiene Manager will play a critical role in maintaining audit readiness, driving continuous improvement and embedding a strong food safety culture across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the hygiene team, including supervisors and operatives across all shifts.

• Oversee daily, weekly and periodic cleaning schedules across high-risk, low-risk and external areas.

• Ensure hygiene standards meet BRCGS, retailer codes of practice and legislative requirements.

• Manage and verify cleaning validation and verification activities, including environmental swabbing and trend analysis.

• Review and approve cleaning chemicals, COSHH assessments and safe systems of work.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve hygiene efficiency, reduce downtime and minimise risk.

• Prepare for and lead hygiene elements of internal and external audits.

• Investigate hygiene-related non-conformances, customer complaints and microbiological failures, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Manage hygiene budgets, chemical usage and contractor performance where applicable.

• Support wider food safety initiatives including pest control oversight and site GMP standards.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in a Hygiene Manager or senior hygiene leadership role within food manufacturing.

• Strong understanding of BRCGS standards, retailer expectations and environmental monitoring programmes.

• Experience managing large teams in a fast-paced, multi-shift operation.

• Knowledge of microbiology, cleaning validation, allergen control and hygienic design principles.

• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.

• Confident handling audits and engaging with external auditors and customers.

• IOSH / NEBOSH or relevant Health & Safety qualification desirable.

• Food Safety or HACCP qualification (Level 3 or above) preferred.

Next Steps

If you are an experienced hygiene professional looking to take ownership of a critical function within a dynamic manufacturing environment, apply directly or get in contact with the details below.