Deli Section Leader - Nightshift Red

Review: Section Leader (Deli Nights) Opportunity at Bakkavor Spalding

This Section Leader role at Bakkavor's Spalding facility presents an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals looking to make a significant impact in the fast-paced food manufacturing industry. Bakkavor emphasizes a culture of resilience, innovation, and collective success, making it an attractive environment for ambitious individuals.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Career Growth and Progression: Bakkavor offers "excellent career progression prospects across the Bakkavor group," which is a significant advantage for those seeking to advance their careers. The company's commitment to developing individuals alongside its growth provides a clear pathway for advancement.
• Competitive Remuneration and Benefits: With a salary of £38,381 per annum, this role is accompanied by a "highly competitive rewards package." The extensive list of benefits, including Life Assurance, a Stakeholder Pension Scheme, a Staff Shop, and a MyBargains Discount Platform, demonstrates a commitment to employee wellbeing and financial security. The provision of a Private Medical Insurance after five years of service is a notable long-term benefit.
• Dynamic and Challenging Environment: The description highlights a "24/7 operation" that thrives on "challenge and change." For candidates who enjoy a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and are motivated by pressure and innovation, this role offers a stimulating and rewarding experience.
• Impactful Role: As a Section Leader, you will have direct responsibility for managing, organizing, and controlling factory activities. This includes staff management, productivity oversight, and ensuring achievement of service levels, offering a high degree of autonomy and influence.
• Structured Work Pattern: The "3’s & 2’s shift pattern" (18:00 - 06:00) provides a structured approach to working nights, which can be advantageous for individuals who prefer this schedule and allows for a good work-life balance with extended periods off.
• Industry Leadership: Joining Bakkavor means becoming part of the "market leader in the UK fresh prepared food industry," supplying to major grocery retailers. This affiliation offers a strong sense of pride and stability.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Night Shift Work: The role is based on a night shift (18:00 - 06:00). Candidates must be comfortable and able to effectively manage their well-being and productivity during these hours.
• Experience Requirements: The role explicitly requires "experience in a production or section management role within the food manufacturing industry" and "knowledge and experience of continuous improvement." Candidates should possess these specific qualifications to be successful.
• High-Pressure Environment: The emphasis on "pressure and pace" and the phrase "we're ready for anything" suggest that the environment can be demanding. Candidates should be resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working under pressure.
• Leadership and Team Engagement: The expectation is for a "great leader, capable of inspiring and engaging your team." Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate a diverse workforce are crucial.
• Operational Focus: A significant part of the role involves hands-on management on the production floor, including "walking the floor," managing start-up procedures, and "constructively challenging performance." Candidates should be prepared for active, on-the-ground leadership.
• Retailer Alignment: A "solid understanding of retailer expectations" is a key requirement, indicating a need to be commercially aware and focused on delivering to high standards.

Guidance for Career Path:

This Section Leader position is ideal for individuals who have foundational experience in food manufacturing management and are seeking to deepen their operational leadership skills. The emphasis on continuous improvement and performance management offers opportunities to develop expertise in lean manufacturing principles. Furthermore, Bakkavor's commitment to employee development suggests that success in this role can pave the way for broader leadership opportunities within the company, potentially in Production Management or across different Bakkavor sites. For those who thrive in challenging, operational environments and are motivated by tangible results, this role serves as an excellent stepping stone for a robust career in the food industry.