Preparation Team Leader (Nights)

We’re looking for a Team Leader to take full accountability for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our preparation area. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll control raw materials, manage people, and ensure continuity of supply to downstream production — all while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and traceability.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment and take pride in running a tight, compliant operation — we want to hear from you.

Job Title: Preparation Team Leader (Nights)– Chilled Food Manufacturing 

Shift Pattern: 4on 4off 18:00 – 06:00

Location: Unit 2A, Nelson Street, Middlesbrough, TS6 6BJ

Salary: £13.72 per hour

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.

Key Responsibilities

As Prep Line Leader, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the preparation area during your shift. You will ensure ingredients and raw materials are controlled, prepared, and issued in line with approved recipes, specifications, HACCP controls, and legal requirements.

You will lead your team to deliver safe, accurate, and audit-ready preparation processes while maintaining stock integrity and production flow.

• Enforce PPE, machine guarding, and safe equipment operation.
• Identify and escalate hazards, near misses, and unsafe behaviours.
• Stop production immediately where there is risk to people, food safety, or legality.
• Support environmental targets by reducing waste, energy, water, and giveaway.
• Take ownership of food safety, legality, and quality within the preparation area.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP plans, customer specifications, and site standards.
• Verify only approved, in-date, correctly labelled materials are used.
• Maintain full traceability through accurate batch and stock records.
• Act immediately on any food safety or contamination risk.
• Keep the area audit-ready at all times.
• Ensure all preparation activities follow SOPs, recipes, and batch specifications.
• Conduct and verify pre-start and changeover checks.
• Manage preparation sequencing to meet production demand.
• Monitor process performance and take corrective action where needed.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Quality to minimise downtime.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in line with BRCGS and 5S principles.
• Take responsibility for ingredient and raw material stock within your area.
• Ensure FIFO compliance, segregation, and correct storage standards.
• Allocate roles and manage labour effectively at shift start.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, stock accuracy, and waste reduction.

About You – We’re looking for someone who:

Essential

• Supervisory experience within food manufacturing or preparation operations.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety, allergen control, and hygiene standards.
• Understanding of FIFO, stock control, and traceability requirements.
• Confident leading and motivating shift teams.
• Experience working to SOPs, batch specs, and pre-start checks.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Comfortable working in a temperature-controlled environment.

Desirable

• Experience within BRCGS or customer-audited environments.
• Knowledge of Lean or continuous improvement practices.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Planning or Warehousing.
• Basic data analysis skills to monitor and improve KPIs.

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
• 20 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.