At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing bakery, driving productivity and engaging your team.
- Company: Dynamic food manufacturing company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £90,000 salary, bonus scheme, pension contribution, and health cover.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a bakery operation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for autonomy and career growth in a vibrant environment.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 126000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £90,000
Location: Uttoxeter
Shift: Days-based senior leadership role
Ready to take a high-performing bakery and mould it into something even bigger and better? This is a rare opportunity for an energetic, people-focused Factory Manager to take ownership of a large, complex food manufacturing site and build on an already strong platform. You’ll be stepping into a role where productivity and volume are moving in the right direction — the challenge now is to sustain that momentum while putting colleague engagement at the heart of every change.
As Factory Manager, you’ll sit on the Site Leadership Team and lead a sizeable, highly automated bakery operation. Success in this role comes from balancing pace and performance with visible leadership on the shop floor, creating an environment where people are engaged, accountable, and motivated to deliver more.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading the manufacturing function to deliver key KPIs across safety, quality, cost, service and people
- Driving productivity, efficiency and volume improvements across a large-scale bakery operation
- Championing a culture of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and operational excellence
- Developing and leading production management teams, building capability and succession
- Ensuring the site meets all food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards
- Working closely with engineering, CI and NPD to maximise asset performance and support growth
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience as a Factory Manager or senior manufacturing leader within food production
- Strong background in high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing — bakery experience highly advantageous
- A visible, energetic leadership style with colleague engagement at the core of change
- Demonstrated success in improving productivity, OEE, waste and overall site performance
- Solid understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
- Confident communicator, able to influence at all levels and lead through others
What’s on Offer:
- Salary: up to £90,000 per annum
- 5% matched pension contribution
- Bonus scheme (up to 30% of salary, linked to site and individual performance)
- Single BUPA cover
- 3x life assurance
- 8 weeks company sick pay
- 3 months’ notice period either side
- A senior role with real autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future of the site
If you’re ready to build on strong foundations and lead a bakery operation into its next phase of growth, this is your moment.
Factory Manager employer: Orange Monkey Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Orange Monkey Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Factory Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who know the ins and outs of bakery operations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s culture and values. When you know what they stand for, you can tailor your answers to show how your energetic leadership style aligns with their goals. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and reinforces your enthusiasm for the Factory Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you shine during the application process. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you that Factory Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Factory Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Factory Manager role. Highlight your achievements in food production, especially in bakery settings, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about leading a bakery operation. Share examples of how you've engaged colleagues and driven productivity in previous roles to grab our attention.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to see your energetic leadership style shine through in your application. Mention how you’ve successfully led teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orange Monkey Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the bakery industry. Be ready to discuss how you've driven productivity and efficiency in past roles, as this will show your understanding of what it takes to lead a high-performing factory.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your energetic leadership style and how you engage colleagues. Think about specific instances where you motivated your team or implemented changes that improved morale and performance.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about your experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles. Share concrete examples of how you've successfully implemented these strategies in previous roles to enhance operational excellence.
✨Communicate Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. As a Factory Manager, you'll need to influence at all levels, so demonstrate your communication skills during the interview by engaging with your interviewers and asking insightful questions.