At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a bakery team to create exceptional baked goods and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join the vibrant Ottolenghi family known for quality and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, delicious staff meals, health support, and learning opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a warm culture that celebrates individuality and offers career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative environment where your ideas and leadership can shine.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in bakery management with strong leadership and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Bakery Senior Sous Chef to join Ottolenghi’s Central Production Unit.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee the daily running of our bakery, leading a team to produce exceptional baked goods for our delis and webstore.
You'll be responsible for production planning, quality, food safety, inventory management, and team development while ensuring our bakery operates efficiently and consistently.
What you’ll do
- Lead, train and support the bakery team, including delegation, onboarding, rota planning and performance management, while fostering a positive and inclusive culture.
- Oversee daily production schedules to meet demand across Ottolenghi sites and our webstore, including seasonal peaks.
- Maintain exceptional quality across all products, taste, appearance, consistency, and presentation.
- Ensure food safety compliance (CCP), cleaning and sanitation standards, supplier compliance and equipment maintenance.
- Manage stock levels, ingredient rotation, and inventory systems to minimise waste and maintain efficiency.
- Collaborate with the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen on new product trials, launches, and improvements.
- Partner with our delis and webstore teams to ensure smooth fulfilment, accurate labelling, and great service.
- Monitor production performance, manage budgets and identify opportunities to improve processes.
What we’re looking for
- 3+ years managing a team in high-volume, quality-led food production (e. g., central production unit, large kitchen)
- Strong knowledge of large-scale bakery operations
- Excellent understanding of baking techniques, ingredient functionality and production workflows.
Key Skills
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent organisation and planning abilities.
- Strong numerical and administrative skills.
- Ability to prioritise multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform well under pressure.
Working hours
- 5 shifts per week within our 7-day operating schedule
- Flexibility required, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays
What we offer
- Competitive salary from £50,000 per year.
- Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount
- Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts
- Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral
- Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy workshops, and access to external courses
- A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated
- Enhanced Parental Pay after two years’ service
- A special birthday treat to celebrate your day
- Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
- A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued
If you’re an experienced bakery leader with a passion for great food and a drive to support and develop others, join Ottolenghi’s CPU team and help us deliver exceptional baked goods every day!
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Bakery Production Manager employer: Ottolenghi CPU
Ottolenghi is an exceptional employer that fosters a warm and inclusive working culture, celebrating individuality and creativity. As a Bakery Production Manager, you'll enjoy competitive salaries, delicious staff meals, and extensive learning opportunities, including management coaching and exclusive workshops in our renowned Test Kitchen. With a strong focus on employee growth and well-being, Ottolenghi offers a supportive environment where your leadership skills can thrive while producing outstanding baked goods for our delis and webstore.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bakery Production Manager
✨Join Food Science Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Bakery Production Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Ottolenghi CPU, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Ottolenghi CPU.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Ottolenghi CPU. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Ottolenghi CPU. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ottolenghi CPU
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Ottolenghi CPU’s mission.
