Production Manager

Mainstream Enlightenment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading artisan bakery in Manchester seeks an experienced Operations Manager to oversee production and transport operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in production management within food or FMCG and demonstrate leadership across multifunctional teams. Responsibilities include leading production planning, ensuring compliance, and implementing continuous improvement practices. Competitive benefits and family-friendly policies offered.

Benefits

Family-friendly policies

50% discount at GAILs

24-hour GP service

Qualifications

• Experienced in production or operations management within food or FMCG.
• Skilled in production planning and transport operations.
• Hands-on, resilient, and decisive with a high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe and efficient production performance with strong process control.
• Lead production planning to optimize workflow and drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee transport operations ensuring compliance and timely delivery.

Skills

Production management

Operations management

Data-driven problem solving

Workflow optimization

People leadership

Education

Relevant qualifications or training (e.g., HACCP, Food Safety, Health and Safety)

Job description

The Bread Factory is the UKs leading artisan bakery. We make award-winning bread, pastries, and cakes, and as well as supporting our neighbourhood bakeries at GAILs, we are the proud suppliers behind Londons Michelin restaurants, prestigious hotels, and even Buckingham Palace! We believe in making good bread. We may have grown over the years, but our philosophy has not changed to make exceptional quality artisan bread, cakes, and pastries so more people can enjoy them. We bake by hand with natural ingredients, we insist on the finest ingredients, and though were always innovating, our baking is based on time-honoured techniques and our decades-old starters. Nothing pleasures us as much as a freshly baked, lovingly crafted loaf. Product is at the heart of our bakeries and everything we do must tell a story that inspires, our people to support us on our journey of growth, leading the way for artisan baking in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver safe and efficient day to day production performance, ensuring consistent quality through strong process control and proactive issue resolution.
• Translate operational plans and KPIs into clear actions that improve productivity, cost control, and overall site performance.
• Lead production planning to optimise labour, materials, equipment, workflow, and drive continuous improvement across the bakery.
• Line manage the Transport Manager and Night Shift Lead, ensuring strong performance, clear communication, and a culture of accountability.
• Oversee transport operations through effective route planning, compliance, cost control, and on time delivery performance.
• Champion health, safety, food safety, and audit readiness, investigating non conformances and ensuring corrective and preventative actions are completed.

About You

• Experienced in production or operations management within food or FMCG, with a strong track record of performance improvement.
• Skilled in production planning, workflow optimisation, transport operations, and data driven problem solving.
• Confident people leader with the ability to coach, develop, and manage performance across multifunctional teams.
• Clear communicator who builds trust across all levels and ensures alignment between shifts and departments.
• Hands on, resilient, and decisive with a safety first mindset and high attention to detail.
• Brings a continuous improvement approach, supported by relevant qualifications or training such as HACCP, Food Safety, or Health and Safety.

Working Hours: 40 hours

Shift Pattern:

Monday - Friday

Location:

Unit 4, Clayton Court, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 2NB

Whats in it for you?

• Family-friendly policies such as maternity and paternity pay, and grandparents leave.
• 50% GAILs 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.