Bakery Shift Lead - Performance & Safety Champion in Hamilton

Location: Lightbody, Hamilton, 73 Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0DW

Shift: 4 on 4 off (06:30am – 18:30pm)

Salary: Competitive

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Operations team in the role of Manufacturing Shift Lead at our Lightbody of Hamilton Ltd site as part of Finsbury Food Group. With over 135 years of craft baking heritage, Lightbody is proud to be the UK’s largest supplier of celebration cakes. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading bakery and food manufacturing businesses, offering excellent opportunities for growth and development.

What you’ll actually do:

• Lead from the front, taking full responsibility for shift performance and ensuring manufacturing operations run efficiently, safely and in line with business targets.
• Drive performance through structured ways of working, implementing and sustaining the group’s standard MARA meeting framework, including shift handovers, leader routines, and tiered accountability meetings.
• Take ownership of key cost levers such as labour and material variance, using data and performance systems to identify opportunities and deliver measurable improvements.
• Lead root cause problem solving (RCPS) activities, applying structured methodologies such as A3 to resolve issues and improve performance beyond standard cost models.
• Ensure consistent output across multiple production lines, proactively managing any issues that may impact efficiency or delivery.
• Work closely with Engineering to improve asset reliability, address breakdowns and support preventative maintenance strategies that enhance long‑term performance.
• Champion the use of performance systems and tools, acting as a subject matter expert on key platforms such as ERP systems, performance dashboards and CI tracking tools.
• Lead on yield improvement, energy awareness initiatives and value engineering activities to support overall site performance.
• Take accountability for quality and compliance on shift, ensuring all testing, sampling, calibration and product evaluations are completed to the highest standards.
• Support product trials, launches and process changes, ensuring they are delivered effectively and in line with operational requirements.
• Lead, coach and motivate your team – creating a high‑performing, engaged culture where individuals understand their goals, feel supported and are empowered to deliver results.
• Demonstrate strong and visible leadership, taking full ownership of shift performance and standards while building and developing a motivated, high‑performing team that drives accountability and engagement across all areas.
• Deliver against key KPIs, including labour variance, material variance, OEE, yield and adherence to plan, while embedding continuous improvement activities that support site‑wide initiatives and performance roadmaps.
• Ensure smooth and efficient operations while maintaining full compliance with food safety, health & safety and quality standards, including BRC and customer codes of practice.
• Consistently apply GMP standards, allergen controls and hygiene requirements across your shift, acting as the senior operational lead and making informed decisions to maintain performance and resolve issues effectively.
• Support and mentor other leaders, contributing to the development of the wider leadership team and deputising for the Site Manufacturing Lead when required, supporting your own ongoing development and career progression.

Ideally this is you:

• We’re looking for a motivated, resilient leader who champions teamwork, ownership, honesty, communication and respect.
• Is passionate about leading people and driving performance through engagement and accountability.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, challenging environment and embraces change with a positive mindset.
• Has strong analytical skills and uses data to drive decision‑making and improvements.
• Is confident influencing at all levels and building strong cross‑functional relationships.
• Is organised, adaptable and committed to continuous improvement and personal development.

Essential:

• Proven leadership experience within a fast‑paced FMCG or manufacturing environment.
• Strong track record of delivering KPIs (labour/material variance, OEE, yield) and driving continuous improvement.
• IOSH Managing Safely and Level 3 Food Hygiene qualified.
• Experience using ERP systems and performance management tools.
• Strong problem‑solving capability (e.g. root cause analysis, A3).
• Solid understanding of BRC, GMP, allergen controls and food safety standards.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop high‑performing teams.

Desirable:

• Food manufacturing experience.
• Internal auditing experience and knowledge of customer codes of practice.
• Food & Drink Operations Level 3 (or working towards).
• Project management experience, including trials and product launches.
• Green Belt (or equivalent) in Continuous Improvement.

What’s in it for you:

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival.
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
• Death in Service Benefit.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform.
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent).
• Employee Recognition Awards.
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including sponsored professional memberships and in‑house development courses.
• Opportunity to be part of a growing organisation.

Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!