Head Baker

The Felix Project; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Felix Project seeks a Head Baker to manage a new baking operation in London. This role involves overseeing daily operations, managing volunteers, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive baking experience and a passion for reducing food waste in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in baking essential.
• Comfortable with Health & Safety and Food Safety standards.
• Positive attitude and comfortable working in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead manager of the new baking operation.
• Manage volunteers and ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Drive project development and maintain performance metrics.

Skills

Health & Safety procedures

Food Safety

HACCAP plans

Team player

Strong work ethic

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 or higher Food Safety qualification

Job description

Job Title: Head Baker

Reporting To: Head of Production

Salary Range:£35,000 - £38,500 (Dependent upon experience)

Contract Type: 24 Months, Fixed Term Contract

Location: Felix Bakes. London, Acton (W3 7QS)

Hours/Days per week:37.5 hour per week, 8.5 hours per day (between 8am - 8pm). Monday – Saturday (5 days on, 2 days off).Operating hours to start with for the bakery will beMonday - Friday9am - 5:30pm.

Requirements:The Felix Project can only employ applicants who currentlyhave the right to work in the UK. Possess required H&S, Food Safety standards.

About The Felix Project

The Felix Project is London’s largest food redistribution charity. Our vision is a London where good food is never wasted, and no one goes hungry. We aim to reduce the negative impact food waste has on the environment by working with the food industry to rescue high quality surplus produce, that would otherwise have gone to waste. This food is sorted at one of our four depots or turned into meals in Felix’s Kitchen. It is then distributed to over 1,200 community organisations, such as food banks, homeless shelters and primary schools, all of whom are working within communities across London to feed people experiencing hunger.

Our Values

Our values set the tone for our organisational culture and reflects how we do everything at The Felix Project including our recruitment & Selection process.

Purpose of the Job

To be the driving force and manager of this new operation, you will join a brand-new operation with the chance to put your stamp on it and drive it forward into the future.

Whilst having the support structure of the wider Felix Production teams and West London Depot Operations team.

You will be the manager of this site and have overall responsibility for its day to day running, it is a hands-on role with most of the working day spent in the kitchen and running the bakery unit. At the beginning of the operation, you will be the only permanent employee there, but this team will expand to add an additional junior baker once fully operational. However, there is the Depot team and the wider production team who will be supporting the day to day as well.

We are a volunteer lead operation so you will have volunteers working alongside you to support the operation.

• In mid-2025 we will open our third production faciality, Felix Bakes. A small operation designed to help us rescue more surplus food and turn it into high value baked goods
• All these goods we make will go back to our brand-new West London Depot, based in the same trading estate and then delivered to some of the 1,200 Community Organisations we support around London
• A particular focus will be on seasonal produce gluts (carrots, courgettes, potatoes), meaning we can ensure more of this produce does not go to waste and add value to the people we support across London
• It will work in partnership with our second production faciality The Felix Food Factory, which will be able to process and/or freeze some of these seasonal gluts into an easier to use format for Felix Bakes
• We are launching this operation in partnership with Deliveroo, who have gifted us the use of this space. The Felix Bakes Kitchen is a unit within a wider “dark” kitchen site, which has onsite support and management of the whole unit.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Be the lead manager of this new operation
• Volunteer and staff management
• Support in the creation and delivery of all required H&S, Food Safety and HACCAP plans
• Working with all internal stake holders across the departments at the Felix Project to maximise the output and impact of the unit
• Reporting on and delivering against the units stated KPI’s and development goals
• Participate and conduct internal and external audits, meeting the required standards
• To be the figure head of the project, including internal and some external promotion of the new operation
• Driving continuous development of our product range and reacting to the changing nature of our food supply
• Fully accountable for the units’ outputs and safety standards, reporting and working closely alongside the Head of Production to ensure all standards are met.

Person Specification

The Felix Project recognises the positive value of diversity and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified or experienced individuals, regardless of their race, gender, biological sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

This is a brand new and unique operation and requires someone with an experience in baking and an openness to creating and delivering on a new project. Someone who believes in the mission we have as an organisation and wants to put their experience and knowledge into a mission driven organisation. We believe in an upbeat and enjoyable working environment but one that is driven to meet our targets and strategic goals.

Whilst previous experience and knowledge within baking is essential, we are looking for someone who wants to grow into role and be able to develop themselves and their knowledge whilst we create this new operation.

Essential skills

• Comfortable with all relevant aspects of Health & Safety and Food Safety procedures in a food manufacturing environment
• Previous experience in creating and/or delivering on HACCAP plans
• Clear eye for detail, team player, enjoys the work they do and a strong work ethic.
• Comfortable working alone, a positive attitude and belief in an ethical, equitable and enjoyable working environment.
• Comfortable in working in a fast changing and growing work environment.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Willingness to drive a project forward and take ownership of this.

Desirable skills

• Previous experience in the charity or surplus food environment Level 3 or higher Food Safety qualified
• A track record of opening new operations
• Experience working and managing volunteers
• A passion to reduce food waste and reduce food insecurity
• A desire to develop this role and department

Equity Diversity Inclusion & Belonging

At The Felix Project, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. We value the unique contributions of every individual and strive to create a respectful, inclusive environment free from discrimination or prejudice. Our commitment extends to all employees, and volunteers, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or characteristics.

Application procedure

Once you apply you will be directed to our recruitment portal. Please upload your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and make sure that they are both uploaded before submitting your application.After you have submitted your application, you have 24 hours in which you can access you application and make edits. We will only consider applications with both CV and cover letter submitted.

Recruitment timeline

We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback.