Manufacturing Shift Manager

We’re looking for an experienced Weekend Shift Manager to take full ownership of our manufacturing operation across the weekend.

You'll set the pace, make key decisions, and ensure our Meals production runs safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

You’ll be based in the meals department and also the most senior manager on site- managing 20+ employees, responding to any incidents, making decisions and communicating across the weekend operation. 

This is a high‑impact role with real autonomy, ideal for someone who thrives in fast‑paced FMCG manufacturing and enjoys leading people, driving performance and embedding continuous improvement.

You will be an experienced Manufacturing Supervisor or Manager who can bring out the best in your team to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met. 

With our manufacturing operation in Trowbridge continuing to expand, there’s never been a better time to join apetito and progress your career.

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

• Take full ownership of the weekend manufacturing shift, delivering performance against KPIs and compliance standards.
• Control quality, output and costs to ensure plans are delivered Right First Time.
• Actively drive and support Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across the operation.

• Lead, motivate and develop a proactive, engaged weekend team.
• Create a positive, high‑performance culture through strong shop‑floor presence and visible leadership.
• Manage all aspects of people leadership, including one‑to‑ones, performance reviews, return‑to‑work interviews, disciplinary investigations and absence management.
• Identify development opportunities and support team members to grow and progress.

• Build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues across the business.
• Act as the key link between the business and front‑line teams, ensuring clear and timely communication.
• Encourage open, honest dialogue around production targets and performance.
• Keep teams informed, engaged and focused through regular updates on results and priorities.

• Ensure full compliance with site Health & Safety policies and standards.
• Lead accident investigations and ensure appropriate corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain robust traceability of all materials.
• Work closely with QFSA during hygiene and housekeeping audits, agreeing and delivering corrective actions on time.
• Proactively support changes to BRCGS standards, helping to maintain AA accreditation.

• Ensure all operators consistently follow correct personal hygiene procedures.
• Champion the 5S ethos across the weekend operation.
• Drive continuous improvement in hygiene standards, particularly during product changeovers to prevent allergen and component cross‑contamination.

• Experience in a Manufacturing supervisory role. 
• FMCG manufacturing experience would be a benefit
• Experience working to BRCGS standards is an advantage
• Team management skills: 
  • Coach, motivate, empower and develop your team
• Planning and organising skills:
  • Uses proven methods to identify and organise resources
  • Monitors performance against deadlines and milestones
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations:
  • Track record of meeting deadlines and high standards for quality
  • Collaborates with internal and external customers to meet their needs
• Continuous improvement:
  • Tangible examples of seeking oportunities to make improvements to efficiency or quality and bringing improvements to life.
• Ethics, values and the environment:
  • Encourages organisational and individual responsibility towards the community and the environment
  • Lives company values and sets the same expectation of the team

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.