General Manager - Bedford

Lantmännen Unibake; Wallis; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Lantmännen Unibake in Bedford is seeking a General Manager to lead a high-change bakery site in the heart of the UK Danish pastry production scene. You will drive safety, performance and growth, guiding a team to deliver quality products and reliable results.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong people management, and hands-on involvement with shift patterns, cross-site travel, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a fast paced, high change food environment, leading other leaders.
• Educated to minimum of degree level (desirable) or comparable experience.
• A will to be the best of the best.
• A desire to develop and progress further.

Responsibilities

• Lead site safety and performance with a pragmatic, people-centric leadership style.
• Oversee day-to-day operations with a two-week rota and 12-hour shifts.
• Travel between UK sites and some European travel as part of this role.

Skills

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Decision making

Clear communication

Can-do attitude

Education

Degree level education

Job description

Have an appetite for more?

Join a leading global bakery group powered by ambitious people that are truly passionate about delivering the best in everything they do.

With business in mind and people at heart we always work together to influence our road ahead. We want you to be part of our growth journey and of a great, global family.

We have an exciting vacancy for a General Manager - to be based in Bedford. Bedford is the heart of the UK Danish pastry production scene, making in excess of 20kT per annum of swirls, squares, plaits and so much more for all the major multiples as well as for the wholesale market.

Safety (both People and Product) is our number one priority – driving cultural change that is behaviours based in the first instance is critical and you will need to work both collaboratively and by leading from the front to achieve and exceed in delivering our safety agenda in conjunction with a balanced scorecard for the site.

You Will Be Great At

• Pragmatic, critical thinking which anticipates and prepares for multiple possible outcomes
• People centric, business focused, robust and brave decision making
• Long term strategic planning for safety, people, growth and performance
• Communicating clearly, frequently, appropriately and with passion and personality – to all parts of our organisation.

You will be inheriting a site which has been through substantial change in the past 18 months and is now ready for evolution, not revolution. A team of fantastic people are looking for a passionate, charismatic, transparent and pragmatic leader who will listen, guide, empower and support them to reach their goals. Maintaining high levels of accountability, being people centric in all you do

You Are

• Hungry for Excellence
• Reliable with a flexible ‘can do’ attitude
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and determined
• A Completer-Finisher who is process driven and strives to systemise everything

You Have

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a fast paced, high change food environment, leading other leaders
• Educated to minimum of degree level (desirable) or comparable experience
• A will to be the best of the best
• A desire to develop and progress further

Work Pattern

• Monday – Friday 0830 – 1700, however as we are operating shift pattern with 12-hour shifts covering days and nights, weekdays/weekends, on a two-week Rota flexibility to be present when required is a must
• Travel between UK sites and some European travel is also required as part of this role

Sounds interesting?

If you have any questions about the position or recruitment process you are welcome to contact Tammy Davies - Talent Partner.

All applications must be completed in English and will be treated confidentially.