At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bakery production operations, ensuring quality and efficiency across multiple lines.
- Company: Join a dynamic bakery team focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and safety.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead end-to-end bakery manufacturing operations within a chilled pastry environment, overseeing a 2-shift structure. This role is responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and compliant production across multiple bakery areas, ensuring volume, quality, cost, and performance targets are consistently achieved.
The remit covers four production lines, pastry production, cooking and meat preparation areas, ingredient storage, ovens, and baking operations. A strong focus on OEE, efficiency, yield, waste reduction, and GMP excellence is essential.
Operational Leadership- Bakery operations management across pastry production, filling/cooking, meat prep, ingredient storage, baking, and four high-volume lines
- Set clear expectations and lead daily performance through Shift Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders
- Deliver production plans safely, on time, and in full
- Manage material flow into production, including meat prep and cook room areas
- Ensure material areas remain on plan to prevent delays or shortages
- Full oversight of seasoning area, ensuring adequate stock availability
- Ownership of oven operations, focusing on product quality and baking profiles
- Control labour planning, crewing, visio standards, and daily staffing
- Monitor and accurately record agency usage, identifying cost-saving opportunities
- Work closely with Technical and QA teams to maintain GMP and compliance
- OEE and efficiency improvement across all bakery areas
- Reduce downtime and drive efficiency gains
- Identify performance gaps and lead structured improvement initiatives
- Use data to drive accountability, problem-solving, and informed decision-making
- Champion continuous improvement methodologies to strengthen right-first-time performance
- Manage Redzone and produce daily/weekly/monthly KPIs
- Monitor production standards including line speeds, yields, and accuracy
- Ensure all reported data is complete, accurate, and up to date
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, and legal standards (BRCGS, HACCP, internal requirements)
- Embed high GMP standards across all bakery areas
- Work with Technical and Quality teams to resolve non-conformances and support audits
- Drive continuous quality improvement and maintain audit-ready standards
- Ensure products meet customer specifications and QAS requirements
- Reduce waste caused by quality issues in partnership with Quality Manager
- Escalate process, equipment, or material issues promptly
- Maintain accurate records and report key food safety and quality metrics
- Investigate product safety/quality issues and implement corrective actions
- Build a high-performing leadership team through coaching, development, and performance management
- Engage effectively with Team Leaders, Shift Managers, and key staff
- Promote a strong safety-first culture
- Support succession planning and capability development
- Foster accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
- Manage all people processes including absence, discipline, grievances, and training needs
- Oversee holiday planning to ensure adequate cover
- Lead, coach, and motivate teams to achieve departmental goals
- Provide guidance on HR policy and employee relations
- Develop direct reports and address underperformance
- Recognise achievements and encourage improvement
- Create a proactive, inclusive culture where colleagues feel valued
- Manage production costs through effective control of labour, materials, waste, giveaway, and rework
- Ensure efficient use of ingredients and raw materials
- Support budget setting and deliver cost and efficiency targets
- Work closely with Engineering to improve equipment reliability and line performance
- Partner with NPD and Process teams on product launches and process changes
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Planning, and Technical teams to ensure operational alignment
- Maintain strong links with QA and Technical teams on compliance and product quality
- Ensure customer service levels are consistently met
- Achieve ATP targets and take corrective action when required
- Deliver shift production plans and communicate service issues promptly
- Support actions to resolve customer complaints
- Take full responsibility for site health and safety — the highest priority
- Maintain compliance with all Health & Safety policies and procedures
- Investigate and report unsafe practices, taking immediate action to prevent recurrence
- Ensure safe working practices for employees and contractors
- Highly self-motivated and able to lead by example
- Professional, proactive work ethic
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Resilient, tenacious, and calm under pressure
- Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills
- Clear, confident communicator at all levels
- Quality-driven mindset
- Vigilant regarding Health & Safety
- Commercial awareness in a fast-paced environment
- Essential
- Senior production management experience within chilled food manufacturing (ideally bakery/pastry)
- Strong understanding of high-volume, short-shelf-life environments
- Proven track record improving OEE, efficiency, yield, and waste
- In-depth knowledge of GMP, food safety, and quality systems
- Strong leadership capability across multi-area operations
- Data-driven mindset with strong problem-solving skills
- Desirable
- Experience managing complex environments including cooking, baking, and raw meat handling
- Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or similar CI frameworks
- Experience supporting major audits and customer interactions
- Plan attainment: 95%+ across all shifts
- OEE improvement: 70%+ pure OEE / 80%+ non-pure OEE
- Giveaway: below 3%
- Pastry waste reduction
- GMP improvement and reduction of non-conformances
- Production quality: right-first-time, zero defects
Production Manager in Llantrisant employer: gap personnel
As a Farm Operative, you will join a dedicated team in a supportive and dynamic work environment that prioritises animal welfare and employee development. With flexible working hours and comprehensive training provided, this role offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills while contributing to the well-being of livestock. Located in a picturesque rural setting, our company fosters a culture of teamwork and respect, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Llantrisant
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like gap personnel, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Llantrisant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to gap personnel specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at gap personnel
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with gap personnel, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like gap personnel value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
