At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic bakery team and oversee daily production of high-quality baked goods.
- Company: Join the renowned Ottolenghi family, known for exceptional food and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy health benefits, staff meals, career development, and discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for growth and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a creative environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in management within high-volume food production and strong baking knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Bakery Production Manager to join Ottolenghi’s Central Production Unit and take a leading role in overseeing the daily operations of the bakery department, ensuring the efficient production of high-quality baked goods, managing inventory, and leading a team of bakers and support staff. You will play a key role in maintaining food safety standards, implementing recipes, and staff welfare. Additionally, you will be involved in scheduling and fostering a positive work environment.
What you’ll do:
- Lead, train and develop a high‑performing bakery team, creating a positive, inclusive and supportive environment.
- Empower your team through clear delegation, fair processes, and a culture that celebrates teamwork, creativity, and excellence.
- Oversee daily production schedules to meet demand across Ottolenghi sites and the webstore, including key seasonal peaks.
- Maintain exceptional quality across all products, taste, appearance, consistency, and presentation.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, CCP policies, and safe supplier standards.
- 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.
- Maintain equipment, uphold cleaning and sanitation standards, and troubleshoot operational issues.
- Support with rota planning, onboarding, performance management, and team welfare.
- Track production metrics, manage budgets, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
What we’re looking for:
- 3+ Years in a Management role within high volume & quality led food production such as a Central Purchasing Unit or large‑scale kitchen.
- Strong knowledge of large‑scale bakery operations.
- Deep understanding of baking techniques, ingredient formulations and production workflows.
Key Skills:
- Strong People Management Skills.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Proficient in IT systems for inventory management, production scheduling and reporting.
- Strong numerical and administrative capability.
- Ability to multitask in fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work under pressure and problem solve.
- Passion for continuous improvement.
Working hours:
5 shifts per week within our 7-day operating schedule. Flexibility required, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays.
What we offer:
- Comprehensive health benefits and staff meals during shifts.
- Career development and tailored training opportunities.
- English language courses, if required.
- Enhanced parental pay, and birthday treat.
- Refer a friend bonus and staff discounts.
- Workshops & demos in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen.
- Wellness support and a friendly, supportive team.
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!
Bakery Production Manager employer: Ottolenghi CPU
Ottolenghi is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering comprehensive health benefits, tailored training opportunities, and a supportive work culture. As a Bakery Production Manager, you will lead a passionate team in a vibrant environment, with access to unique workshops and demos in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, ensuring both personal and professional growth while delivering high-quality baked goods.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bakery Production Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the bakery industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, bring samples of your baking or even a portfolio showcasing your previous work. This will not only impress potential employers but also give them a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing teams and ensuring quality production. Tailor your answers to reflect their values and goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Ottolenghi!
We think you need these skills to ace Bakery Production Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your management experience in high-volume food production and any specific bakery operations you've been involved in.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about baking and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your People Skills:Since strong people management is key for this role, be sure to mention any relevant experiences where you've trained or developed a team. We love to see how you create a positive work environment!
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 Ottolenghi CPU
✨Know Your Bakery Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of baking techniques and ingredient formulations. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these in past roles, especially in high-volume settings. This will show that you understand the core of what makes a bakery successful.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and developed teams in previous positions. Highlight your approach to creating a positive work environment and how you empower your team through delegation and support. This is crucial for a role that focuses on team management.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Prowess
Be ready to talk about your experience with production scheduling and inventory management. Share specific strategies you’ve used to maintain efficiency and minimise waste, as this aligns directly with the responsibilities of the Bakery Production Manager.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss any initiatives you’ve led or been part of that focused on improving processes or product quality. Show your passion for continuous improvement and how it can benefit Ottolenghi’s operations, especially during peak seasons.
