Department Manager

The Bread Factory; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK bakery producer in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Department Manager to lead daily production operations. The role includes developing team leaders, ensuring delivery of high-quality artisan products, and maintaining food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for quality craftsmanship. The position offers family-friendly benefits, including discounts on products and wellbeing support.

Benefits

Family-friendly policies

50% discount at GAIL's and 40% off at The Bread Factory

24-hour GP service

Cycle to work schemes

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within food manufacturing or bakery production.
• Strong communication and team development skills with a hands-on management approach.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining exceptional product standards.
• Confident with production reporting systems.
• A proactive, organised, and solution-driven mindset with a passion for quality craftsmanship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily production operations, ensuring high-quality delivery of artisan products.
• Develop, coach, and support Line Leaders to achieve excellence in quality and performance.
• Monitor production standards, driving continuous improvement in efficiency and innovation.
• Uphold food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards across all bakery processes.
• Oversee shift planning, performance reviews, and operational reporting.

Skills

Leadership experience in food manufacturing

Strong communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Proactive and organised mindset

Job description

The Bread Factory is a long-established business specialising in the production and distribution of high quality breads, pastries and cakes across the UK. The company’s focus is on freshly baked artisan products, along with excellent customer service. We are the proud suppliers of Michelin starred restaurants, prestigious hotels and cafés with our award-winning breads, pastries and cakes.

As we continue to expand, we are seeking an experienced Department Manager to lead our growing team at our brand-new Milton Keynes site.

Contracted hours : 40 hours – Full Time

Working Hours : 8am-4pm

Shift Pattern : Monday to Friday

• (sometimes flexibility might be required during the weekend during peak time, as we are building our new site)

Location : Milton Keynes

Daily Responsibilities

Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing :

• Lead and manage daily production operations, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery of artisan products.
• Develop, coach, and support Line Leaders to achieve excellence in quality and performance.
• Monitor production standards, driving continuous improvement in efficiency and innovation
• Uphold food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards across all bakery processes.
• Oversee shift planning, performance reviews, and operational reporting with accuracy and consistency.

Qualifications

Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have :

• Proven leadership experience within food manufacturing or bakery production.
• Strong communication and team development skills with a hands‑on management approach.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining exceptional product standards.
• Confident with and production reporting systems.
• A proactive, organised, and solution‑driven mindset with a passion for quality craftsmanship.

Benefits

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.