Hygiene Operative

Job Title Hygiene Operative

Reports To Hygiene Team Leader

Department / Function Hygiene

1. Job Purpose / Summary

• The Hygiene Operative is responsible for delivering core cleaning and hygiene activities across the site, including internal and external areas, offices, amenities, locker rooms, toilet facilities, production areas and warehouse spaces.

• The role supports the Technical Department in ensuring high standards of hygiene, food safety and workplace cleanliness are consistently maintained.

2. Key Accountabilities

Cleaning & Hygiene Delivery

• Carry out cleaning duties in offices, corridors, canteen, locker rooms and toilet facilities.

• Clean internal and external areas of the factory, production areas and warehouse in line with schedules.

• Conduct general cleaning of structures, overheads, drains, walls, pipework and equipment, including high level cleaning.

• Complete hygiene schedules according to plant and equipment cleaning instruction cards (CICs).

• Day to day management of pest control activities.

Safe Chemical Handling

• Work with cleaning chemicals, including the storage, handling, mixing and application as trained.

• Follow COSHH procedures to ensure safe chemical usage.

Waste & Environmental Standards

• Maintain yard cleanliness.

• Ensure correct segregation of waste for disposal or recycling.

Specialist Cleaning (Where Trained)

• Potential to carry out confined-space cleaning and high-level cleaning tasks once trained and authorised.

General Duties

• Use initiative and judgement in cleaning methods while following site procedures.

• Carry out all tasks as required by the Hygiene Manager or line manager.

• Maintain standards that support food safety, legality and quality.

3. Problem Solving & Innovation

• Apply judgement when assessing cleaning needs and selecting appropriate cleaning methods.

• Identify issues such as spills, hygiene gaps or equipment cleanliness concerns and escalate as needed.

• Suggest improvements to cleaning routines or waste handling where appropriate.

• Adapt cleaning activities to suit operational needs while maintaining standards

4. Leadership & People Responsibilities

This role has no direct reports, but contributes to:

• Supporting team coordination by following instructions from the Hygiene Team Leader and Hygiene Manager.

• Helping new colleagues through informal guidance or peer support.

• Maintaining a positive, safe and cooperative working environment.

5. Impact of Role

• Ensures the site remains clean, hygienic and compliant with food safety and health & safety standards.

• Contributes directly to audit readiness and product safety through effective cleaning practices.

• Supports site efficiency by maintaining clean workspaces that reduce contamination risk.

• Helps uphold the site’s reputation for quality and safe manufacturing.

6. Dimensions of the Role

• Direct Reports: 0

• Scope: Production areas, warehouse, offices & amenities, locker rooms & toilets, external yard spaces

• Operating Conditions: Exposure to dust, dirt, heat, noise and low level vibration (within tolerable levels).

7. Key Relationships & Interpersonal Skills

Internal Stakeholders:

• Hygiene Manager

• Hygiene Team Leader

• Hygiene Operatives

• Technical Team

• Production and Warehouse colleagues

External Stakeholders:

• May interact occasionally with contractors (e.g., waste, pest control, specialist cleaners).

Behavioural Skills:

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• Ability to follow hygiene schedules and instructions accurately.

• Safety focused, reliable and attentive to detail.

• Capable of working independently and using initiative in routine tasks.

8. Knowledge & Experience Requirements

Essential

• Awareness of Health & Safety requirements.

• Understanding of hygiene processes and cleaning materials in a food environment.

• Basic understanding of chemical safety (COSHH) and CICs.

• Manual Handling

• Level 2 Food Hygiene

• Safe use of chemicals

• Ladders & high level access equipment

• Confined space entry

• Expected to reach acceptable competence within an 8 week training period.

Desirable

• Forklift truck licence.

• Experience in food industry hygiene routines and materials.

Other Information

• The job holder is required to do all tasks considered relevant by their line manager

• Responsible for Food Safety, Quality and Legality

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

The Company strives to be an equal opportunities employer. This means that decisions concerning recruitment, promotion, dismissal or any other aspect of employment will be based on the needs of the business and not any assumptions based on sex, race, age, disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, married or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. This is an important commitment which all employees are expected to share.

Requirements

Knowledge & Experience Requirements

Essential

• Awareness of Health & Safety requirements.

• Understanding of hygiene processes and cleaning materials in a food environment.

• Basic understanding of chemical safety (COSHH) and CICs.

• Manual Handling

• Level 2 Food Hygiene

• Safe use of chemicals

• Ladders & high level access equipment

• Confined space entry

• Expected to reach acceptable competence within an 8 week training period.

Desirable

• Forklift truck licence.

• Experience in food industry hygiene routines and materials.

Benefits

Benefits of Working at Weetabix – Deeside

• A competitive salary which is reviewed annually

• Access to the Company Bonus Scheme

• A personalised Career Development Plan

• Access to the company's e-learning suite

• Access to the company pension scheme

• Life Assurance cover

• Heavily-subsidised vending service in the Canteen

• Access to the Company Staff Shop at discounted prices

• A health surveillance medical every year (if required)

• Regular business updates

• Free parking on site