Area Manager – Night Shift

Join Our Operations Team at The Compleat Food Group!

We’re excited to offer an incredible opportunity for an Area Manager to join our dedicated and professional Operations team on the night shift in Middlesbrough!

Who We Are:

At The Compleat Food Group, we're on a mission to create delectable food that not only brings joy to your taste buds but also extends love to our planet. We fondly refer to it as 'Food to Feel Good' because we believe in savouring every bite whilst making a positive impact.

Our team of over c.6,500 remarkable individuals forms the core of all that we undertake. Their genuine passion drives the creation of delectable products for UK consumers, prominent retailers, and our thrilling market-leading brands such as Wall's Pastry, Squeaky Bean, and Unearthed.

Role Details:

Working Hours: 4 on 4 off, Night Shift

Role Type: Permanent, Full Time Role

Location: Middlesbrough

Salary: Up to £37,000

Your Duties Will Include:

• Act as shift safety lead, ensuring compliance with site policies and promoting a zero-accident culture.
• Lead by example in hazard awareness, behavioural safety, and safe working practices and promote environmental responsibility (energy, water, waste).
• Support accident and near-miss investigations.
• Ensure all products meet food safety, legal, quality, and traceability standards.
• Complete GMP and QAS checks with clear corrective actions.
• Maintain and verify HACCP, CCPs, and food safety systems.
• Support audits and ensure the area remains audit-ready.
• Enforce allergen control, labelling, hygiene, and traceability standards.
• Promote a “right first time” and ownership culture; coach teams on quality accountability.
• Deliver production plans OTIF with efficient use of labour and resources.
• Oversee line start-ups, changeovers, clearances, and cleaning.
• Monitor performance (OEE, waste, downtime, yield) and take corrective action.
• Ensure standardised processes are consistently followed.
• Escalate issues and support cross-functional problem solving.
• Ensure accurate production data and validate through process checks.
• Identify performance gaps using root cause analysis (e.g. 5 Whys).
• Coordinate with Planning, Engineering, Technical, and Supply Chain.
• Support NPD trials and implementation.
• Lead, coach, and manage Line Leaders to meet performance standards.
• Ensure clear accountability for stock control, materials, and traceability.
• Set expectations, review performance, and drive accountability.
• Maintain engagement through communication and reviews.
• Develop succession plans and manage absence performance.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture.
• Take accountability for materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods.
• Ensure FIFO, correct storage, and segregation standards are followed.
• Prevent use of incorrect, expired, or quarantined materials.
• Monitor stock usage, variances, and waste.
• Maintain accurate material records and traceability.
• Support stock takes and investigations.
• Ensure effective allergen management and compliance.
• Maintain hygiene and housekeeping to site and BRCGS standards.
• Verify and sustain cleaning effectiveness.
• Manage and escalate contamination or allergen risks.
• Ensure accurate and controlled production and stock documentation.
• Lead audit preparation and completion of actions.
• Drive continuous improvement in safety, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Act as a key link between Operations, Production, Warehouse, Technical, Engineering, and Planning.
• Escalate stock, material, or traceability risks promptly.
• Promote a strong food safety and compliance culture.

About You:

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment
• Proven track record of managing front-line teams
• Strong understanding of production planning, quality and food safety systems
• Effective communicator with strong problem-solving skills
• Good data literacy (e.g. understanding KPIs, variance, basic root cause tools)

Desirable

• Supervisory/management qualification or relevant NVQ
• HACCP Level 2 or equivalent
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Experience in CI tools (Lean, 5S, 5 Whys, Redzone, etc.)
• Familiarity with audit environments (e.g. BRC, Retailer Standards)

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points – available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts 
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme  to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies: 

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.