Ice Cream Production & Distribution Manager
About Bluebell Dairy
Would you like to play an important part in a fast\-growing, family\-run business?
Bluebell Dairy produces artisan ice cream on our free\-range dairy farm in Derbyshire, using milk from our own cows. From cow to cone, our ice cream is handcrafted here on the farm.
Our wholesale business currently supplies around 300 tourist attractions, cafés, restaurants, farm shops and other businesses across the Midlands. We are now looking for an experienced and enthusiastic manager to lead our ice cream production and distribution operation as the business continues to grow.
The role
As our Ice Cream Production \& Distribution Manager, you will take responsibility for the day\-to\-day running of our production, storage and delivery operation.
You will lead approximately four to five people in our ice cream production team and coordinate our small team of drivers, with up to 4 vans out each day
This is a visible, hands\-on management role. You will work alongside the production team when needed, particularly during busy periods, while remaining focused on planning the workload, organising the team, maintaining standards and supporting employees.
You will coordinate production and distribution to ensure customer orders are made accurately, prepared on time and delivered to the high standards expected of Bluebell Dairy.
Our office team will assist with customer orders, delivery administration and communication, while the owners and external advisers will provide support with more complex HR and health\-and\-safety matters.
Main responsibilities
- Lead, support and organise the production and delivery teams.
- Plan daily and weekly production around customer orders, stock levels and seasonal demand.
- Ensure the correct products and quantities are produced accurately and on time.
- Ensure customer orders are picked, checked, loaded and ready for dispatch.
- Communicate daily priorities clearly across production, and distribution
- Provide team members with regular feedback, coaching and support.
- Work alongside the production team when operationally required.
- Maintain consistently high standards of product quality, taste and presentation.
- Maintain excellent hygiene and housekeeping throughout the production and storage areas.
- Ensure agreed food\-safety, quality and traceability procedures are followed.
- Keep production, stock and quality records complete and accurate.
- Monitor ingredients, packaging and finished\-product stock levels.
- Order routine ingredients, packaging and production supplies.
- Monitor production efficiency, product yields and wastage.
- Organise staff training and ensure team members understand their responsibilities.
- Identify practical opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and customer service.
As part of the role, you will also:
- Maintain the day\-to\-day operation of the company’s food\-safety and quality systems, with additional technical support available when required.
- Keep records and working practices ready for inspections and accreditation audits.
- Arrange routine servicing and repairs with engineers and specialist contractors.
- Oversee everyday health\-and\-safety standards within production, storage and distribution.
- Support the owners with trials of new flavours and product lines.
- Provide operational information and recommendations to help the business plan for future growth.
You must have previous experience managing or supervising a team within a food\-production or food\-manufacturing environment.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a confident, approachable and supportive people manager.
- Leads by example and applies standards fairly and consistently.
- Communicates clearly and brings out the best in their team.
- Is willing to be hands\-on while remaining focused on their management responsibilities.
- Has good knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and production controls.
- Takes pride in maintaining high standards and consistent working practices.
- Can plan production and organise people around changing demand.
- Can coordinate effectively with production employees, drivers and office colleagues.
- Remains calm and makes sensible decisions in a busy environment.
- Has good computer skills and can confidently use production and stock\-control systems.
- Has a logical and organised approach to planning, stock management and problem\-solving.
- Takes ownership of their responsibilities and follows tasks through to completion.
- Enjoys developing people and finding practical ways to improve an operation.
- Is comfortable working longer hours and some weekends during peak periods.
Food\-safety, HACCP, health\-and\-safety or management qualifications would also be beneficial.
Working hours
This is a full\-time role with a seasonal working pattern reflecting the demand for our products.
Spring and summer are our busiest periods. During these months, the role will involve some weeks of more than 45 hours and regular weekend work. These busier periods are balanced by considerably shorter working weeks during quieter parts of the year. We expect the hours to average 40 hours per a week across the year
The expected working pattern will be discussed clearly during the interview process.
What we offer
- 28 days’ holiday, plus an additional day off for your birthday.
- Employee discount and complimentary products.
- Free on\-site parking.
- Company social events throughout the year.
- The opportunity to play an important part in a growing family business.
- A varied role with genuine responsibility and scope to develop the operation.
- A countryside working environment on our Derbyshire dairy farm.
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On\-site parking
- Spondon DE21 7AR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
- Do you have basic computer literacy? The ability to maintain a database and use Excel?
- Are you able to work longer hours during the Spring and Summer, balanced by shorter working weeks during quieter periods?
- Food safety, hygiene and traceability: 1 year (preferred)
- Commercial food production or food manufacturing: 2 years (required)
- Team leadership, supervision or management: 2 years (required)
- United Kingdom (required)
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