Operations - Skilled Operative - Process

Finsbury Food; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts

Refer a Friend Scheme

Employee Recognition Awards

Extensive Learning & Development opportunities

Job summary

Finsbury Food is looking for a Skilled Operative to join the Operations Team at Kara Foodservice in Manchester. This role involves ensuring efficient production while maintaining high standards of quality.

The ideal candidate will have good literacy and numeracy skills, the ability to work collaboratively, and a positive approach in a fast-paced environment. The position offers an enhanced pension scheme, maternity and paternity leave, and extensive learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and work at the required standard.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities to ensure efficient production.
• Monitor performance and adhere to quality assurance processes.
• Lead the team and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Good literacy and numeracy skills

Ability to follow instructions and work at the required standard

Good interpersonal skills

Confidence to communicate effectively

Positive and proactive approach

Job description

Operations - Skilled Operative - Process

Park Seventeen, Whitefield, Manchester M45 8FJ, UK

Job Description

Posted Thursday 11 June 2026 at 00:00

Shift: 12 hr shifts, working 4 out of 6 days, Sunday to Thursday, rotating days and nights

We have an opportunity for a Skilled Operative to join our Operations Team at Kara Foodservice as part of Finsbury Food Group. Established in 1985, Kara offers a wide range of quality sweet and savoury bakery products, including both gourmet butter and vegan brioche buns, doughballs and teacakes. The Kara Bakery can bake over 1 million baps and burger buns every day.

Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards and build long‑term relationships with major multiple retailers and the foodservice channel. The bread for your morning toast, ready for butter‑spreading or egg‑dipping. The candle‑filled centrepiece for a memorable celebration. The buns, muffins and other treats that turn teatime into quality time. Our Fletchers bakery has over 125 years of baking tradition, with our Kara bakery supplying delicious wholesale bakery products for over 35 years starting with the first floured bap. Both have been part of the Finsbury Food Group since 2014.

The Skilled Operative will work as part of the Production Team coordinating activities within the designated area. These activities will be designed to ensure the efficient and safe manufacture of the finished product to the correct specification, maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout.

This is what you’ll actually do!

In this role, you will work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure your area meets production targets while maintaining high‑quality standards. You will be responsible for plant setup, ensuring efficiency at the start of production and during product changeovers, while continuously monitoring performance. Adherence to technical specifications, quality assurance processes, and food safety policies is essential in handling, preparing, and storing ingredients, allergens, and finished goods. You will also uphold excellent hygiene and housekeeping standards by following "clean as you go" practices. Maintaining accurate records, including M3 data and CCP checks, is a key part of the role, along with effective management of ingredients and toppings to minimise waste. You will be required to lead the team to ensure the performance of your area meets the company’s KPI’s. Prioritising health and safety at all times, you will contribute to a safe working environment by following best practices and behaviours. Additionally, we encourage participation in company training and development initiatives to support your growth and the growth of your colleagues.

Ideally this is you!

• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and work at the required standard.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Confidence to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• A positive and proactive approach with the drive to deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families)
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C’s dependent)
• Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in‑house development course!)
• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!