At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production at our Batley bakery, ensuring quality and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive team at FBC UK, a leader in the bakery industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth in a multicultural environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving profitability and fostering continuous improvement in production.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in manufacturing and strong knowledge of health and safety standards.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
As Production Manager at our Batley bakery, you’ll lead the value stream with a clear customer-focused strategy, ensuring effective resource planning and operational delivery. You’ll drive profitability through targeted actions, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with safety and food standards. With strong leadership, you’ll inspire high performance and influence commercial decisions to support long-term success. This role is on an alternating shift pattern of 7am - 2.30pm and 2.30pm - 10pm Monday to Friday, with overtime when required.
Main Responsibilities
- Responsible for the Batley factory, producing 25,000 tonnes annually using a diverse range of equipment—from brand new installations to machinery over 80 years old—including 8 ovens, 6 chocolate enrobers, 2 moulding plants, and 5 assortment lines.
- Oversees 5 value streams: Baking & Ba7, Chocolatey, Seasonal, Logistics, and NPD & CI.
- Manages a site with an NSV of £90 million and a workforce of approximately 800 employees, rising to over 1,200 during peak season.
- Supports delivery of around 60 NPD projects per year.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a 2–3 year strategy for each value stream, aligned with business goals.
- Deliver annual budget targets, focusing on cost control and profitability.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, product quality, health & safety, and environmental standards.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Champion product integrity and segregation, ensuring:
- Only intended ingredients are present in products.
- No unintended ingredients are introduced.
- Factory-at-risk ingredients are handled with care and precision.
Leadership & Performance
- Own quality and process capability, working closely with operators, line leaders, and technical teams to maintain control and drive improvements.
- Conduct performance and development reviews for Value Stream Leads, ensuring consistency across streams.
- Lead value stream reviews to monitor KPIs, resolve issues, and coordinate support from engineering, finance, and technical functions.
- Promote audit‑ready standards daily, ensuring compliance with GMP, BRC, and M&S codes of practice.
Scheduling & Safety
- Own scheduling processes, working with planners to reduce changeovers, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service—while maintaining allergen and food safety compliance.
- Manage agency labour control and associated costs through strong communication and ownership.
- Oversee health & safety across the factory, including accident investigations, risk assessments, SUSA, and Near Miss reporting.
Business Process & Strategic Support
- Ensure consistent, efficient production of high-quality products, with >80% of time spent on the shop floor.
- Resolve immediate shift issues while contributing to long‑term strategic improvements.
- Demonstrate strong leadership, process knowledge, and understanding of HR, technical, and H&S policies.
- Apply commercial awareness to decision‑making, balancing cost with customer service.
- Lead a long‑serving, diverse workforce by promoting innovative thinking and long‑term solutions aligned with the FBC Strategy.
Who We Are Looking For
- Extensive leadership experience in fast‑paced manufacturing environments.
- Strong people management, communication, and coaching skills, with experience handling disciplinary and grievance processes and sound knowledge of employment legislation (e.g., Working Time Directive).
- Health & Safety and Food Safety qualified, with solid understanding of HACCP and GMP standards.
- Proven ability to manage new equipment installations and lead capital projects from planning through to execution.
- Highly proficient in digital systems including SAP, Excel, and recipe control platforms such as Promtek.
- Skilled in continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt level) and 5S.
- Experience working with complex automated manufacturing systems; engineering knowledge is a plus.
- Commercially aware, with the ability to factor in broader business drivers such as safety, efficiency, and profitability.
Diversity Statement
FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.
Production Manager in Batley employer: BISCUITS DELACRE
At FBC UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the role of Production Manager at our Batley bakery. Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture fosters a supportive work environment where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills through continuous improvement initiatives. With competitive benefits, a focus on safety and quality, and opportunities to lead innovative projects, we empower our team to achieve both personal and professional success in a dynamic manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Batley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around safety and continuous improvement—key areas for a Production Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you've driven profitability and efficiency in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Batley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership and operational expertise!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive profitability and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve improved efficiency or reduced costs, let us know!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the Production Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at FBC UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at BISCUITS DELACRE
✨Know Your Value Streams
Familiarise yourself with the five value streams mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and execute strategies for each, showing your understanding of their unique challenges and opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your leadership experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Highlight specific instances where you've inspired high performance or led continuous improvement initiatives, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Brush up on food safety, health & safety, and environmental standards relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in previous roles, particularly with HACCP and GMP standards, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Think about how you can balance cost control with customer service. Prepare to discuss how your decisions have positively impacted profitability in past roles, showcasing your ability to factor in broader business drivers.
