Fenmarc produce Ltd is one of the UK’s leading fresh produce suppliers to the major retailers and the wholesale markets. They grow and pack a range of products over their 3 sites including carrots, parsnips and potatoes. The Swinderby site where I am based focuses on the packing of carrots, parsnips and stew packs as their main lines along with other smaller lines such as leeks and turnips. The site operates 7 days a week for 12 hours a day and during the winter months usually 24 hours a day, especially in the run up to Christmas. As a Quality Shift Leader I am expected to run a team of up to 15 colleagues and ensure that day cleaner, intake, print room and QC line cover is available for all the required shifts. Due to the nature of the products the demands of the business can change with very little notice and as a team we need to be prepared to react. I work closely with the hygiene team to ensure that they maintain the cleaning standards and have spent time mentoring the team leaders to ensure they have the necessary skills to be successful in their roles. The Fenmarc Swinderby site operates Team Based Objectives (TBO’s) and as a leader you are responsible for driving your team to meet the requirements which include team presentations, Continuous Improvement suggestions (CI’s), Kaizans, discussion forums (H&S, Environmental & Technical), Audits, Colleague 1 to 1’s and cost reduction projects.

I currently work for a salmon processor who has BRC, Organic Food Federation and Freedom Foods accreditations. I have full responsibility for the QA department and ensuring that we achieve these accreditations each year. I am the HACCP team leader and I also manage the health and safety system and the hygiene department. I am currently in the process of developing our environmental management system to meet the requirements of the investors in the environment accreditation scheme.