At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in food prep, ensuring safety and quality standards are met.
- Company: Join a dynamic food manufacturing company with a focus on quality and teamwork.
- Benefits: Earn GBP 14.11 per hour with opportunities for growth and development.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety and quality while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong knowledge of safety standards required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 30000 £ per year.
We’re recruiting a Prep Cell Leader to run a Cook Prep / High Risk Prep area, supporting a team of Production Chefs, Food Safety Operatives and Production Team Members. This is a hands‑on leadership role with real accountability for food safety, product quality, GMP, health & safety, and brand integrity. You’ll be the go‑to person on shift for daily standards, performance, and problem solving, keeping the prep area audit‑ready and ensuring product remains within spec at all times.
Responsibilities
- Lead the cell day‑to‑day: assign tasks, give clear instructions, and support the team to meet targets.
- Maintain high standards across GMP, hygiene, housekeeping, food safety, brand integrity and people safety.
- Complete quality checks while you work, including checks for veins, shell, freezer burn, foreign body, seal integrity and pack coding.
- Ensure full paperwork compliance: traceability records, CCP documentation and all relevant production paperwork is completed accurately.
- Escalate issues quickly: report food safety, product quality, H&S concerns to your manager or QA team as required.
- Audit and improve: complete weekly food safety audits and promote continuous improvement ideas in the area.
- Problem‑solve independently: perform root cause analysis for issues such as machine breakdowns and decide when to involve Engineering.
- Drive communication with wider teams regarding delays, ingredient shortages or equipment issues.
- Promote safe working: report accidents, near misses and “don’t walk by’s” through the correct process and keep fire exits clear at all times.
Requirements
- Experience in a food manufacturing / FMCG production environment (high‑risk or high‑care prep experience is highly beneficial).
- Strong knowledge of GMP, hygiene, food safety and quality standards.
- Confidence completing and checking CCP paperwork and traceability documentation.
- The ability to lead by example, motivate others, and keep standards consistent.
- A proactive, practical approach to problem‑solving and root cause analysis.
- Fluent English (speaking, reading, writing) to communicate clearly, complete legal paperwork and follow policies/procedures.
- Values‑driven behaviours aligned to Teamwork, Quality, Honesty and Passion.
Prep Cell Leader in Redditch employer: Hewett Recruitment
As a Prep Cell Leader at our Redditch facility, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality in a supportive and collaborative work environment. We prioritise employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can advance your career while contributing to our commitment to excellence. With competitive pay and a culture that values teamwork, honesty, and passion, we offer a rewarding workplace where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prep Cell Leader in Redditch
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the company’s values and mission. This will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience in food safety and leadership can benefit their team. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles, especially in high-risk environments. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to think on your feet.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Prep Cell Leader in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight any experience you have in leading teams or projects. We want to see how you've motivated others and maintained high standards in previous roles, especially in food safety and quality.
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your background, focus on your experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environments. We’re particularly interested in any high-risk or high-care prep experience you have, so don’t hold back on the details!
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities:We love a proactive approach! Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past, whether it’s resolving a production issue or improving processes. This shows us you can think on your feet and drive continuous improvement.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hewett Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of GMP, hygiene, and food safety standards. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the importance of maintaining high standards in a prep area.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about times when you assigned tasks, motivated others, or solved problems. This will help demonstrate your ability to lead by example and keep your team on track.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions about how you would handle specific challenges, like machine breakdowns or food safety issues. Have a few scenarios in mind where you performed root cause analysis and took action. This will highlight your proactive approach to problem-solving.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to complete legal paperwork and follow policies, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might be asked to explain how you would communicate with wider teams about delays or ingredient shortages, so being concise and clear is key.
