At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production to create award-winning bread and pastries while ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join The Bread Factory, the UK's top artisan bakery with a passion for quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy family-friendly policies, discounts, and wellbeing perks like 24-hour GP service.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that crafts exceptional baked goods and supports local communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace focused on sustainability and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Bread Factory is the UK’s leading artisan bakery. We make award-winning bread, pastries, and cakes, and as well as supporting our neighbourhood bakeries at GAIL’s, we are the proud suppliers behind London’s Michelin restaurants, prestigious hotels, and even Buckingham Palace! We believe in making good bread. We may have grown over the years, but our philosophy has not changed… to make exceptional quality artisan bread, cakes, and pastries so more people can enjoy them. We bake by hand with natural ingredients, we insist on the finest ingredients, and though we’re always innovating, our baking is based on time-honoured techniques and our decades-old starters. Nothing pleasures us as much as a freshly baked, lovingly crafted loaf. Product is at the heart of our bakeries and everything we do must tell a story that inspires our people to support us on our journey of growth, leading the way for artisan baking in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver safe and efficient day to day production performance, ensuring consistent quality through strong process control and proactive issue resolution.
- Translate operational plans and KPIs into clear actions that improve productivity, cost control, and overall site performance.
- Lead production planning to optimise labour, materials, equipment, workflow, and drive continuous improvement across the bakery.
- Line manage the Transport Manager and Night Shift Lead, ensuring strong performance, clear communication, and a culture of accountability.
- Oversee transport operations through effective route planning, compliance, cost control, and on time delivery performance.
- Champion health, safety, food safety, and audit readiness, investigating non conformances and ensuring corrective and preventative actions are completed.
About You
- Experienced in production or operations management within food or FMCG, with a strong track record of performance improvement.
- Skilled in production planning, workflow optimisation, transport operations, and data driven problem solving.
- Confident people leader with the ability to coach, develop, and manage performance across multifunctional teams.
- Clear communicator who builds trust across all levels and ensures alignment between shifts and departments.
- Hands on, resilient, and decisive with a safety first mindset and high attention to detail.
- Brings a continuous improvement approach, supported by relevant qualifications or training such as HACCP, Food Safety, or Health and Safety.
Working Hours: 40 hours
Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday
Location: Unit 4, Clayton Court, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 2NB
What’s in it for you? Family-friendly policies such as maternity and paternity pay, and grandparents leave. 50% GAIL’s discount and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets. Wellbeing benefits such as 24-hour GP service, parties, Cycle to work schemes and more…
Our Care Values
- We care about Job Well Done: Since 1993, we have been champions in traditional baking with the finest ingredients and techniques. We always do things the right way, not the easy way.
- We care about Baking: At The Bread Factory all our teams take pride in crafting beautiful, freshly baked loaves, pastries, and cakes. We are all passionate about our products and share knowledge among us all.
- We care about each other: We always act with respect, empathy, and support to our employees, neighbours and customers.
- We care about community: We believe in minimising unsustainable practices and reducing waste. Whilst ensuring we continue to provide everyone with nutritious high-quality food.
- We care about nature: We’re committed to sustainability across our supply chain—from reducing waste and reusing surplus to supporting regenerative farming that helps restore the planet.
Production Manager in Manchester employer: The Bread Factory
Contact Detail:
The Bread Factory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Bread Factory and its values. Understand their commitment to quality and community, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to production management and team leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your achievements effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Baking: When you're writing your application, let your love for baking shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your connection to artisan bread and pastries. We want to see that you care about quality and craftsmanship as much as we do.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in production management and how it aligns with our values at The Bread Factory. We appreciate a personal touch!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We value effective communication, so make sure your application reflects that by being easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at The Bread Factory!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bread Factory
✨Know Your Bread and Butter
Before the interview, dive deep into The Bread Factory's philosophy and products. Familiarise yourself with their artisan baking techniques and the importance of quality ingredients. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you connect your experience in production management to their values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Production Manager, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your communication style and how you foster a culture of accountability and trust, which aligns with their care values.
✨Be Data-Driven
The role requires a strong focus on performance improvement and data-driven problem solving. Come prepared with specific examples of how you've used data to optimise production processes or improve efficiency. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to translate operational plans into actionable results.
✨Emphasise Safety and Quality
Given the emphasis on health, safety, and food quality, be ready to discuss your experience with HACCP, food safety standards, and any relevant training. Share how you've championed safety in previous roles and how you ensure compliance while maintaining high-quality production.