Production Manager (Bakery)

Bakery Production Manager

Location: Llantrisant
Contract: Full\-time, Permanent
Industry: Chilled Food Manufacturing (Bakery \& Pastry)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Bakery Production Manager to take full operational leadership of our chilled pastry and bakery manufacturing site. Overseeing a 2\-shift operation, this role is responsible for delivering safe, efficient, compliant and high\-performing production across four production lines, pastry manufacturing, cooking and meat preparation areas, ingredients storage, and ovens/baking.

This is a highly influential role requiring strong leadership, outstanding operational capability, and a track record of driving continuous improvement in a fast\-paced, short\-shelf\-life food environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all bakery manufacturing areas including pastry production, filling \& cooking, meat prep, ingredient storage, baking and four high\-volume production lines.


• Manage Shift Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders to ensure daily delivery of production plans safely and on time.


• Oversee material flow, ensuring meat prep and cook room areas remain on plan to avoid delays.


• Full responsibility for the Ovens area, product quality and baking profiles.


• Manage labour planning, standards, crewing and agency usage, ensuring accurate cost control.


• Drive strong GMP and technical compliance in partnership with Technical \& QA teams.

• Own and deliver performance metrics including OEE, line efficiency, yield, waste, labour productivity and downtime.


• Identify and close performance gaps through structured continuous improvement initiatives.


• Ensure accurate performance reporting and management of Redzone KPIs.


• Champion right\-first\-time quality and production stability.

• Ensure compliance with BRCGS, HACCP and all food safety and legal requirements.


• Embed exceptional GMP, hygiene and housekeeping standards across all areas.


• Lead investigations, corrective actions and support customer audits and technical visits.


• Work with Quality teams to reduce waste, improve standards and maintain audit\-ready conditions.

• Build, coach and develop a high\-performing production leadership team.


• Manage performance, succession planning, capability development and engagement.


• Lead all people processes including absence, holidays, training, discipline and grievances.


• Foster a culture of accountability, involvement and pride.

• Control labour, materials, giveaway, rework and waste to meet budget requirements.


• Work closely with Supply Chain and Planning to maximise raw material efficiency.

• Partner with Engineering to improve reliability, maintenance and line performance.


• Support NPD and Process teams with new launches and process changes.


• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Planning, Technical and Quality teams to ensure seamless operations.

• Ensure production plans are achieved, and customer service levels are consistently met.


• Escalate risks early, take corrective action and support the reduction of customer complaints.

• Champion a safety\-first culture with no compromise.


• Ensure full compliance with site H\&S policies for employees and contractors.


• Investigate unsafe practices and ensure timely corrective actions.

• Highly self\-motivated, enthusiastic and leads by example


• Excellent problem\-solving and analytical ability


• Strong attention to detail and resilience under pressure


• Commercially aware with a continuous improvement mindset


• Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively at all levels


• Passionate about quality, safety and operational excellence

• Significant senior production management experience within chilled food manufacturing (ideally bakery/pastry).


• Strong background in high\-volume, short\-shelf\-life environments.


• Proven experience improving OEE, yield, waste and line efficiency.


• Strong leadership capabilities across multi\-area operations.


• Excellent knowledge of GMP, food safety and quality systems.


• Data\-driven and confident in performance analysis and decision\-making.

• Experience within complex environments including cooking, baking and raw meat handling.


• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies.


• Experience with major audits and customer\-facing interactions.

Pay: £45,000\.00\-£55,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension


• Free flu jabs


• Free parking


• Gym membership


• On\-site parking

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