Manufacturing Standards Co-ordinator in Trowbridge

The SOP Co-ordinator is a key appointment that will support apetito's commitment to regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and future growth.

This is a challenging, stimulating, and varied role that offers a high degree of autonomy.

It is ideally suited to an experienced, self-motivated individual who can work independently, establish priorities, and lead the development and co‑ordination of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated training compliance across the manufacturing operation.

The role will be responsible for establishing, maintaining and continuously improving the site's SOP framework, ensuring all procedures are developed, reviewed, controlled and implemented in a consistent and effective manner.

This will involve reviewing current working practices, collaborating with subject matter experts, and ensuring all procedures are compliant, standardised, and fit for purpose.

The SOP Co-ordinator will act as the custodian of the site's SOP governance process, templates, standards and training systems.

Whilst they will support the creation and review of procedures, accountability for process content will remain with the relevant process owners and subject matter experts.

The primary focus of the role is to facilitate, coordinate, standardise and assure the quality of SOPs and associated training systems rather than personally author every procedure.

A key element of the role will be to ensure employees are trained and competent against approved SOPs, supporting a culture of compliance, consistency, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

The role is full time and site-based in Trowbridge.

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors, serving more than 1,300 care homes, healthcare and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier, cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

• Establish and maintain the site's SOP framework, including document standards, templates, approval processes, ownership requirements and review cycles.
• Facilitate the development, review and maintenance of SOPs and work instructions for production, quality, hygiene, engineering, warehousing and other facility operations, working alongside process owners and subject matter experts to ensure documentation is accurate, standardised and fit for purpose.
• Define and maintain clear ownership and accountability for SOPs across all departments.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the business and colleagues across apetito's network, including team heads and subject matter experts, to identify best practice, apply lean methodology, and ensure SOPs accurately reflect operational requirements and regulatory standards.
• Promote sustainable working practices and waste reduction by ensuring SOPs support efficient use of materials, energy and time, and by embedding agreed waste minimisation controls into standard ways of working.
• Work closely with Continuous Improvement and CQV colleagues to align SOPs to agreed principles, embed standard ways of working, and drive consistent adherence across the operation.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver engaging training programmes relating to SOPs, ensuring employees understand and consistently apply documented processes.
• Use inclusive communication methods appropriate for a diverse workforce, including employees for whom English is not a first language.
• Maintain accurate records of SOP approvals, revisions, training completion, competency assessments and compliance sign-off.
• Monitor training compliance and competency levels across the operation, ensuring all employees remain current with required training.
• Set and maintain KPIs to measure SOP effectiveness, training compliance and process adherence, using data and trends to drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor compliance with procedures through audits, observations and feedback, identifying opportunities for improvement and corrective action.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring SOPs, training records and competency evidence are maintained, accessible and audit‑ready.
• Produce regular reports for management covering SOP status, training compliance, audit findings, KPI performance, risks, actions and improvement opportunities.
• Be responsive to operational change, proactively updating SOP frameworks, training materials and governance processes to support new technology, equipment and automation.
• Stay abreast of industry standards, food manufacturing regulations and customer requirements relevant to the operation.

Essential

• Experience within a food manufacturing, FMCG, or other regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience in SOP writing and delivering training sessions within manufacturing or similar regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and audit requirements (e. g., HACCP, BRCGS, ISO 22000) and experience working to internal and external audit expectations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly in plain language to a diverse workforce (including employees for whom English is not a first language) and to adapt materials using visuals/support as needed.
• Ability to deliver effective training to diverse teams.
• Attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Confidence to work independently on the factory floor and positively challenge non‑compliance where standards are not being followed.

Desirable

• Manufacturing Operations, Food Manufacturing, Learning & Development, Quality Assurance, or a related discipline.
• Train the Trainer qualification or equivalent training experience.
• Experience implementing process systems, procedures, and standardisation programmes.
• Experience of working within Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence environments.
• Internal Auditor qualification or audit experience.
• Industry qualifications in Food Safety, HACCP, Health & Safety, or Quality Management.
• Personal Qualities
• Proactive and adaptable, with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to influence and engage employees at all levels of the organisation.
• Organised and structured in their approach to work.
• Resilient and able to manage changing priorities.
• Able to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Committed to driving standards, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Competitive salary - accredited Living Wage employer
• 25 days’ holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to five additional days’ holiday per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer‑matched contributions up to 4%.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least one times annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen, free meals, snacks and beverages on site.
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• apetito perks scheme, including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.

As a family‑owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well‑being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.

Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities and staff, and we are on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.

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