Head Baker

We’re recruiting an experienced Head Baker for a well-established artisan bakery in Stroud, Gloucestershire, offering a salary of £45,000–£50,000 for a 40-hour working week. This is a senior, hands-on Head Baker role, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the bakery while leading a team of approximately 20 bakery staff. The successful candidate will combine strong technical baking expertise with confident people management and a genuine ability to lead, develop and motivate a team.

The Role

Working closely with the business owner and Operations and People Manager, you’ll take the lead on day-to-day bakery production, team performance and maintaining consistently high standards across the operation. This is a production-led, hands-on position in a busy artisan bakery specialising in sourdough breads and pastries. You’ll be visible on the bakery floor, setting standards, supporting and developing the team and ensuring consistent quality across all output. The business has an Operations and People Manager responsible for areas including health and safety, risk assessments and implementing people-management processes, allowing the Head Baker to focus on leading the bakery team, production and the day-to-day running of the bakery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of bakery production
• Oversee production of sourdough breads and pastries
• Maintain high standards of product quality and consistency
• Support production planning, workflow and scheduling
• Lead, manage, motivate, train and develop a team of approximately 20 bakery staff
• Build a positive, respectful and high-performing team culture
• Promote teamwork, accountability and clear communication
• Address people-related issues professionally and constructively
• Work closely with the Operations and People Manager on wider operational and people-management matters
• Ensure food safety and hygiene standards are consistently maintained
• Drive continuous improvement across production processes and team performance

The Person

This role will suit an experienced Head Baker, Senior Baker or Lead Baker who is ready to take ownership of a bakery operation while remaining close to the craft. You will have:

• Strong, hands-on baking experience, ideally within an artisan or sourdough-focused bakery
• Excellent technical knowledge of sourdough fermentation and pastry production
• Demonstrable experience managing and leading teams
• The ability to train, develop and motivate bakery staff
• Experience handling people issues and supporting team development
• A track record of contributing to a positive and high-performing workplace culture
• A hands-on, proactive approach with high standards and excellent attention to detail
• A calm, resilient and solutions-focused approach in a fast-paced production environment

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week
• 5 days per week
• Some weekend working required
• Salary paid monthly

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected artisan bakery in Gloucestershire, with a salary of £45,000–£50,000, a 40-hour working week and a supportive management structure. For an experienced bakery professional, the position offers the opportunity to take genuine ownership of the day-to-day bakery operation, lead and develop an established team and have real influence over product quality, team culture and performance.