Bakery Operations Leader: Quality, Efficiency & Team Growth

C.H. Guenther & Son; Carlstadt (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

3M HEALTHCARE in United States, New Jersey, Carlstadt seeks an Operations Manager to lead daily bakery production, championing technical excellence, product quality, and efficiency. The role blends hands-on baking with people leadership, process optimization, and equipment oversight, driving HACCP compliance and continuous improvement across the plant.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Food Science or related field and 5+ years of bakery operations leadership, with experience in industrial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, or a related discipline preferred.
• Five or more years of bakery production experience including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in commercial or industrial bakery operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day bakery production, ensuring quality and targets are met.
• Develop and manage production schedules to meet demand while minimizing waste.
• Monitor workflow and implement continuous improvements.
• Standardize recipes and baking methods for repeatable results.
• Optimize end-to-end baking processes (mixing, proofing, baking, cooling, packaging).
• Troubleshoot production issues related to dough development, fermentation, equipment, or ingredients.
• Develop and maintain a technical playbook with troubleshooting and critical control points.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies, automation, and production techniques.
• Partner with R&D and QA to define processing standards.
• Ensure compliance with food-safety regulations and programs (HACCP, GMP).
• Maintain product consistency in flavor, texture, and appearance.
• Conduct routine quality checks, audits, and corrective actions.
• Educate QA team on diagnosing defects and remedies.
• Supervise, train, and mentor bakery staff and production teams.
• Serve as technical bakery expert for guidance on ingredients and processing methods.
• Set performance expectations and provide coaching and feedback.
• Foster a safe, productive, and collaborative work environment.
• Oversee equipment operation and maintenance; plan preventive maintenance.
• Coordinate maintenance and repairs to minimize downtime.
• Assess performance and recommend upgrades or replacements.
• Manage inventories of raw materials and packaging; control costs.
• Collaborate with procurement on ingredient quality and supply.

Skills

Baking science

Fermentation

Dough handling

Ingredient functionality

Process optimization

Quality control

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Bakery Science

Job description

3M HEALTHCARE in United States, New Jersey, Carlstadt seeks an Operations Manager to lead daily bakery production, championing technical excellence, product quality, and efficiency. The role blends hands-on baking with people leadership, process optimization, and equipment oversight, driving HACCP compliance and continuous improvement across the plant.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Food Science or related field and 5+ years of bakery operations leadership, with experience in industrial