High Care Team Leader - Day Shift in Manchester

About Us Established in 2000, Extons Foods are now one of the UKs largest independent cheese processing companies supplying sliced, grated, block and continental cheese to wholesalers, retailers, and sandwich manufacturers. We have continually grown and we’re not slowing down! A Family Run business with a friendly hands‑on approach.

Role Description Reporting to the Production Shift Manager, the High Care Team Leader will lead the day‑to‑day operations within High Care (HC). Ensuring products are made safely, efficiently, and to customer, quality and food safety standards. The role requires a strong, organised and proactive leader who supports the team, maintains standards, delivers the production plan, and upholds strict health and safety, hygiene and food safety controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day‑to‑day running of HC, ensuring the smooth operation and delivery of the production plan.
• Lead, motivate, and support production operatives.
• Allocate tasks and manage staffing levels to meet customer demand.
• Ensure the correct start‑up, changeover and clean‑down procedures are followed.
• Assist with conducting team briefings, training, and performance monitoring as and when required to support the Shift Manager.
• Maintain clear communication with the Shift Manager regarding plan progress, production issues and shift performance.
• Promote a positive health and safety, and food safety culture.
• Ensure strict adherence to HACCP, GMP, and food safety procedures.
• Ensure allergen controls and contamination prevention procedures are followed and documented.
• Ensure the area is audit‑ready at all times, maintaining compliance with BRCGS, customer standards, and company policies.
• Ensure correct PPE and hygiene procedures are followed at all times.
• Support where necessary with audits, visits and inspections.
• Monitor KPI measures such as output, waste, yield, downtime and labour efficiency where necessary.
• Identify and report any quality concerns immediately and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Escalate equipment or production issues promptly to management or engineering teams.
• Support investigations into non‑conformances, quality and people issues.
• Ensure accurate completion of production records and traceability documentation.
• Ensure safe working practices are followed at all time.
• Report accidents, hazards, and near misses promptly and ensure appropriate actions are taken.
• Ensure the correct use of equipment and PPE.
• Support risk assessments and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and team performance.
• Support lean manufacturing and waste reduction activities.
• Assist with implementation of new processes, training and process improvements.
• Encourage team engagement in continuous improvement and best practices.

The ideal candidate

• Previous experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment, with knowledge of BRCGS standards.
• Experience supervising or leading a team in a similar environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, GMP and hygiene standards.
• Clear and confident communicator with the ability to coordinate staff and proactively manage daily challenges.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced production environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Basic IT and record‑keeping skills.
• HACCP Level 2 or 3 qualification (desirable).
• Level 2 (or above) Food Safety qualification (desirable).
• Experience working in a high care or chilled food environment (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Hands‑on and proactive leadership style, with a fair and consistent approach.
• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• High levels of attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Reliable, proactive, and adaptable.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Problem‑solving mindset.
• Team‑focused with a positive, can‑do attitude.

Working Hours

Monday 5.30am – 2.00pm / Tuesday - Friday 5.45am - 2.00pm (day shift). Site based. Shift cover expected.

Benefits

• Free parking, within proximity to all major travel networks.
• 28 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with service.
• An extra day off for your birthday.
• Health cash plan (Medicash), after 3 months.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Company pension scheme – employer 4% and employee 5%.
• Company paid events throughout the year.
• Fruity Tuesday.
• FREE pack of cheese every week.
• Discounted staff cheese shop.
• Doughnut Fridays.

Please note we unfortunately do not offer sponsorship for work visas or immigration. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.