At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure top-quality food production while promoting safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension matching, life insurance, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food manufacturing and inspire your team every day.
- Qualifications: Confident leadership and hands-on experience in food manufacturing are essential.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with ongoing training and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive salary
Benefits: Company share save scheme, Pension up to 8% matched, Life insurance up to 4x salary
Location: Old Leake (PE22 9PN) Near Boston
Ways of Working: Site based
Hours of work: 3's & 2's / 06:00-18:00
Contract Type: Permanent
Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop. Our site in Old Leake, just outside Boston, Lincolnshire, specialises in chilled Italian ready meals and modern deli products for a dedicated customer. The site employs around 700 people and operates in a fast-paced production environment.
What you’ll be doing
In this busy and dynamic role as Section Leader you will supervise a specified team to ensure that products are manufactured to the highest quality standards at minimum cost, always in line with CCP, GMP and Health & Safety requirements. You will play a key role in supporting Bakkavor’s values, fostering a culture built on people engagement, safety, quality and a constant drive to improve. Your leadership will inspire your team to deliver consistently outstanding results while maintaining efficiency and compliance, helping the business achieve excellence every day.
Role Accountabilities:
- Promote a safe working environment in line with Group policy.
- Ensure GMP, food safety, product quality, presentation and housekeeping are maintained.
- Oversee attendance, reviews, absence management and first-level disciplinary actions.
- Identify skill needs, support training, and build a talent pool for progression.
- Drive KPIs, waste reduction, production control and accurate record keeping.
- Manage breaks, shift changeovers and monitor standards to deliver the plan.
- Lead daily briefs, SIC reviews and maintain strong links with peers and managers.
- Support hiring, induction and early engagement of new team members.
- Complete reporting and data tasks including OEE, T&A and holiday management.
What we’re looking for:
- Confident leadership in food manufacturing, with a track record of inspiring and developing high-performing teams.
- Hands-on manufacturing experience, bringing practical understanding to daily operations and decision-making.
- Calm and clear-thinking under pressure, approaching challenges with logic, composure, and a solutions-focused mindset.
- Strong alignment with Bakkavor Values, consistently demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.
- Flexible, adaptable, and tech-savvy, able to adjust to changing priorities and use digital tools confidently.
- Effective communicator with solid numerical skills, supporting sound operational and people-focused decisions.
- Background in chilled foods, FMCG, or broader food manufacturing is advantageous, along with training in Food Hygiene or IOSH.
- Driven to make a meaningful impact, bringing energy, commitment, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
We’re not all the same at Greencore and our differences help us to make everyday taste better for all our stakeholders. We truly put our people at the core and are proud of our diversity. If this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.
What you’ll get in return:
- Competitive salary and job-related benefits
- Holidays
- Pension up to 8% matched
- Life insurance up to 4x salary
- Company share save scheme
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
- Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies
Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on-the-job training and development opportunities to further your career.
Section Leader employer: Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)
Contact Detail:
Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Section Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Greencore or in the food manufacturing sector. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Greencore’s values and recent news. Show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making every day taste better.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear how you've inspired teams and tackled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and keep it engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us you’re keen and professional, which is exactly what we’re looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Section Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Section Leader role. Highlight your leadership experience in food manufacturing and how it aligns with our values at Greencore. We want to see how you can inspire and develop high-performing teams!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your hands-on manufacturing experience and any relevant training, like Food Hygiene or IOSH. We love candidates who can bring practical understanding to daily operations, so let us know how you've tackled challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. Remember, we’re looking for effective communicators who can think clearly under pressure!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Greencore family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Greencore's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their products, especially in chilled foods and ready meals. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Section Leader, you'll need to inspire and develop your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your ability to drive KPIs and maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. Think of specific situations where you had to make quick decisions or manage conflicts, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.