At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced bakery environment, ensuring top-notch production and quality.
- Company: Join the UK's No. 1 Bakery Brand with a rich history and family values.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit share, extra leave, and health support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team in one of Europe's largest bakeries with great career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while driving continuous improvement and inspiring your team.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership and knowledge of Lean methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 52000 £ per year.
Contract: Full Time, Permanent – 37.5 hours per week
Hours: 4 on / 4 off rotation, days & nights
Location: Enfield
Salary: 48K-52K Depending on experience
Ready to lead from the front in a fast‑paced FMCG environment? If you’re a people-focused leader with manufacturing experience and a passion for continuous improvement, this could be the next big step in your career. Our Enfield Bakery is looking for a Manufacturing Shift Manager to take ownership of shift performance, inspire teams, and help us deliver great products safely, efficiently and on time – every time.
To be successful in this role, you’ll bring a mix of operational know‑how and strong leadership capability, including:
- Experience working with or knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement methodologies
- Familiarity with SAP (or the confidence to pick it up quickly)
- Proven experience monitoring equipment performance, ensuring compliance, and resolving issues at pace
- An understanding of site‑level planning and production flow
- A strong willingness to lead, coach and develop teams to hit KPIs, achieve targets, and grow future talent
It’s simple really – we deliver fresh products on time, while keeping quality, safety and customer service at the heart of every decision we make.
As ‘the UK’s No. 1 Bakery Brand’ we have been baking bread since 1876. Today, we are proudly a sixth‑generation family business, supplying over 18,000 retail customers from 11 bakeries and 16 depots, producing a range of over 70 products, including gluten and wheat free. We are striving to be a net zero business by 2050 and believe that we must minimise our impact on the environment, whilst making a positive impact on the society we are a part of.
Whether you’re an experienced shift manager or a developing leader ready for your next move, this is your opportunity to own your area and make a real impact. As a Manufacturing Shift Manager at Warburtons, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving performance across your shift. You’ll lead from the front, oversee day‑to‑day production activity, and champion our uncompromising standards in quality, safety and efficiency.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leadership, not just management: You’ll inspire, motivate and develop your team to perform at their best. By leading by example, you’ll create an environment where colleagues feel engaged, supported and empowered to succeed.
- Continuous Improvement Champion: You’ll drive Lean, Six Sigma and CI initiatives on shift – identifying opportunities, reducing waste and embedding improvements that deliver measurable and sustainable results.
- Operational Excellence: You’ll take full ownership of performance within your area, ensuring KPI targets are consistently met – and often exceeded. You’ll build a culture of accountability, efficiency and pride in the products we make.
Our Enfield Bakery and Distribution site is one of the largest bakeries in Europe! We have 5 operating plants and around 500 colleagues who work a variety of shift patterns. At Enfield we have 40 different nationalities working together, and we celebrate our One Team family values. Our site runs 363 days of the year and operates 24/7!
We produce over 4.8 million crumpets per week, which is equivalent to 800,000 packets of 6 as well as producing a variety of other products.
Extra Dough:
- A slice of the annual profits (discretionary profit share)
- Family time is important to us and we know it will be to you so you have the opportunity to purchase up to an extra weeks annual leave.
- Award winning pension scheme with company contributions of 7%
- Life assurance
- Products you will love along with deals and discounts for you and the family through our Extra Dough website
- Continued investment in your personal development
- Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy with your daily brew!
- Support for your health and wellbeing, including access to free physiotherapy, 24/7 access to a confidential helpline for practical advice and a comprehensive occupational health service
We respect and value difference. We look to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, or any other aspect which makes them unique, are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work, is the right thing to do.
Manufacturing Shift Manager in London employer: Warburtons
Warburtons is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in our Enfield Bakery, where diversity thrives with 40 different nationalities. We prioritise employee growth through continuous development opportunities and champion a supportive environment that values teamwork and innovation. With competitive benefits including profit sharing, generous leave options, and a commitment to health and wellbeing, we empower our Manufacturing Shift Managers to lead impactful change while enjoying the rewards of their hard work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Shift Manager in London
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Warburtons, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Shift Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Warburtons specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Warburtons
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Warburtons, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Warburtons value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
