Senior Bakery Manager

Role Purpose
The Senior Bakery Manager is responsible for the full operational, technical, and commercial performance of the bakery manufacturing facility, including supply to five retail outlets and wholesale customers.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage the entire bakery production operation.
• Provide direct oversight and leadership to the Bakery Manager and QC team.
• Establish clear accountability structures, performance standards, and daily production targets.
• Drive a culture of discipline, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Stock Control, Recipe Adherence & Cost Management

• Implement and maintain accurate stock control systems (raw materials, WIP, and finished goods).
• Ensure strict adherence to recipes and standard yields across all products.
• Monitor ingredient usage vs. theoretical usage and identify variances.
• Investigate and address deviations caused by poor process control, waste, or non-compliance.
• Conduct regular audits on production batches to ensure consistency.
• Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly stock takes are conducted and reconciled.
• Monitor and control waste, variances, and shrinkage, implementing corrective actions.

Production Planning & Efficiency

• Oversee production planning aligned with retail and wholesale demand.
• Ensure efficient use of labour, equipment, and materials.
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in production processes.
• Implement and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Quality Control & Product Consistency

• Take full accountability for product quality across all channels.
• Ensure all products are produced according to approved recipes and specifications.
• Work closely with QC to enforce quality standards and conduct regular checks.
• Maintain consistency in taste, texture, appearance, and portion control.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead new product development in line with market trends and customer demand.
• Continuously review and improve existing product ranges.
• Standardize new recipes, costing, and production processes before rollout.
• Collaborate with retail and sales teams to evaluate product performance.
• Balance innovation with operational efficiency and profitability.

Retail & Wholesale Supply Management

• Ensure accurate and timely supply to all retail outlets.
• Oversee order forecasting and fulfilment for wholesale clients.
• Minimize stock-outs and overproduction.
• Align production output with sales trends and business needs.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Bakery Manager and broader team.
• Train staff on recipe adherence, portion control, and production standards.
• Address performance issues decisively and constructively.
• Build a strong culture of accountability and technical competence.

Minimum Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior bakery or food production management role
• Diploma/degree in food or operations (preferred)
• Strong technical understanding of recipe control, yields, and stock systems
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a production environment
• Experience in both retail supply and wholesale operations
• Product development experience in a commercial bakery or similar environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills