Compliance Manager

Compliance Manager

Forest Gate site | Food Manufacturing | Site Leadership

The opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Compliance Manager to join our Technical team at our Forest Gate bakery.

This is a key role where you'll report to the Site Technical Manager and take ownership of food safety, legal compliance and quality systems across the site. Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Hygiene and central functions, you'll help ensure we consistently deliver safe, high-quality products that meet legal, customer and Hovis standards.

You'll be responsible for driving a strong food safety culture, leading compliance activities, managing internal audits and supporting successful customer and third-party audits. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being visible on the factory floor, building relationships across the business and using their technical expertise to continuously improve standards.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine impact in a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment where quality, compliance and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

What you'll be responsible for

• Leading food safety, legal compliance and quality standards across the Forest Gate site.

• Ensuring compliance with company, customer, retailer, BRCGS and legislative requirements.

• Managing the site's internal audit programme and supporting customer, retailer and third-party audits, ensuring actions are completed effectively and on time.

• Investigating customer complaints, food safety and quality issues, completing robust root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventative actions.

• Supporting and deputising for the Site Technical Manager when required.

• Promoting and embedding a strong food safety culture, challenging standards where needed and driving continuous improvement.

• Maintaining and improving site quality management systems, including procedures, records and technical documentation.

• Delivering food safety and quality training programmes, including refresher training, CCP competency verification and operator assessments.

• Working collaboratively with Operations, Engineering and Hygiene teams to improve product quality, factory standards and compliance performance.

• Monitoring key compliance metrics, complaints and quality performance, communicating updates and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Supporting site traceability exercises and ensuring calibration and verification activities are completed for temperature probes, weighing equipment and metal detection systems.

• Acting as an active member of the HACCP team, supporting risk assessment and continuous improvement initiatives.

What we're looking for

• Experience in a Compliance, Quality or Technical role within food manufacturing or another fast-paced FMCG environment.

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification.

• Strong knowledge of food legislation, HACCP principles and BRCGS standards.

• Experience leading or supporting retailer, customer and third-party audits.

• Internal auditing experience and a thorough understanding of quality management systems.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across operational teams.

• Experience delivering training and coaching colleagues on food safety and quality standards.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable improvements.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

• IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or willingness to work towards it).

It would be great if you also have

• Food Hygiene Level 4.

• HACCP Level 3 qualification.

• Additional experience designing and delivering technical training programmes.

This role would suit someone who

• Is passionate about food safety, quality and compliance.

• Enjoys spending time on the factory floor supporting and influencing operational teams.

• Likes solving problems, investigating issues and preventing them from happening again.

• Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where no two days are the same.

• Wants to play a visible role in building a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Benefits baked in

All colleagues can choose from a wide range of benefits in addition to salary, based on their individual needs.

• Three levels of pension scheme to choose from, with employer contribution of up to 7.5%.

• Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace App, including at-home Annual Health Check, Digital GP consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinions and more.

• Enhanced parental leave and flexibility where possible to suit your needs.

• Access to funded physiotherapy sessions.

• Wellbeing support and campaigns to help you stay active and healthy, be financially prepared and support your mental wellbeing.

• Opt-in plans for money back towards the cost of opticians, dentist, physiotherapist and more.

• Hovis Choice benefits platform, including savings and cashback offers, eyecare vouchers and cycle to work scheme.

Ready to make an impact?

If you're an experienced Compliance or Technical professional looking for a role where you can influence standards, drive continuous improvement and help deliver safe, high-quality products every day, we'd love to hear from you.