Bakery Operations Manager

CH Guenther & Son LLC; Carlstadt (NJ); On-site; USD 103,549 - 194,194; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

Retirement savings options

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Educational assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

CH Guenther & Son LLC is seeking a Bakery Operations Manager in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The role involves leading daily bakery production while ensuring technical excellence, quality, and efficiency. You will oversee operations, manage workflows, and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in Food Science and at least five years of bakery production experience. The company offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, or 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 product quality and volume targets.
• Standardize recipes and procedures to ensure repeatable results.
• Ensure compliance with food-safety regulations and programs.
• Supervise, train, and mentor bakery staff.
• Manage inventories of raw materials and packaging supplies.
• Collaborate with R&D to develop formulations.

Skills

Baking science knowledge

Leadership and team management

Problem-solving mindset

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Automated production systems

Commercial bakery equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Job Summary The Bakery Operations Manager leads daily bakery production while championing technical excellence, consistent product quality, and operational efficiency. This role blends hands‑on baking expertise with people leadership, process optimization, food‑safety compliance, and equipment oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations Management
  
  • Oversee day‑to‑day bakery production, ensuring product quality, consistency, and volume targets.
  • Develop and manage production schedules to meet demand while minimizing waste.
  • Monitor workflow performance and implement continuous improvements.
• Technical & Process Oversight
  
  • Standardize recipes, procedures, and baking methods to ensure repeatable results.
  • Optimize end‑to‑end baking processes (mixing, proofing, baking, cooling, packaging).
  • Troubleshoot production issues related to dough development, fermentation, equipment performance, or ingredient variability.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive technical playbook detailing troubleshooting approaches and critical control points.
  • Evaluate and introduce new technologies, automation, and production techniques as appropriate.
  • Partner with R&D and QA to define processing standards for target product attributes.
• Quality Control & Food Safety
  
  • Ensure compliance with food‑safety regulations and programs (HACCP, FDA, local health codes).
  • Maintain standards for product consistency, flavor, texture, and appearance.
  • Conduct routine quality checks, internal audits, corrective actions.
  • Educate QA team on defect root causes and remedies.
• Team Leadership
  
  • Supervise, train, mentor bakery staff and production teams.
  • Serve as technical bakery expert, guiding on ingredient functionality, processing methods, troubleshooting.
  • Set performance expectations, provide coaching and feedback.
  • Foster a safe, collaborative work environment.
• Equipment & Maintenance
  
  • Oversee operation and upkeep of bakery equipment (ovens, mixers, proofers, etc.).
  • Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs to reduce downtime.
  • Recommend equipment upgrades or replacements.
• Inventory & Cost Management
  
  • Manage inventories of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging supplies.
  • Control costs, reduce waste, improve margins.
  • Partner with procurement for ingredient quality and cost.
• Product Development
  
  • Collaborate with R&D and culinary teams to develop formulations, processing parameters.
  • Scale formulas from bench‑top or small‑batch trials to full‑scale production.
  • Define and communicate processing guidelines based on plant capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
  
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, or related discipline (preferred).
  • Five or more years of bakery production experience, including leadership responsibilities.
  • Experience in commercial or industrial bakery operations.
• Technical Skills
  
  • Strong knowledge of baking science (fermentation, dough handling, ingredient functionality), with broad ingredient knowledge and expertise in grain‑based applications.
  • Expert understanding of how process conditions and formulation choices interact to drive product performance.
  • Familiarity with automated production systems and commercial bakery equipment.
  • Working knowledge of food‑safety standards and programs (HACCP, GMP).
• Leadership & Soft Skills
  
  • Ability to train and transfer technical knowledge to plant Operations and QA teams.
  • Ability to analyze technical challenges and develop practical, creative, and effective solutions.
  • Strong leadership and team management abilities.
  • Problem‑solving and process‑improvement mindset.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Working Conditions

Fast‑paced, high‑volume production environment. Early morning, evening, and weekend shifts may be required. Exposure to heat, flour dust, and industrial equipment.

Key Performance Indicators

• Product quality and consistency.
• Production efficiency and output.
• Waste reduction and cost control.
• Compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Compensation

Salary range: $103,549.00 - $194,194.00. Actual compensation may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. All compensation is compliant with applicable local, state, and federal pay laws, including minimum salary thresholds.

Benefits

• Health and disability insurance
• Retirement savings options
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance programs
• Educational assistance
• Parental leave
• Paid time off
• Company‑paid holidays

EEO Statement

C.H. Guenther & Son and its subsidiaries are E‑Verify participating employers. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the pre‑employment screening process which includes a drug screen and review of criminal background and other records as required. AA/EEO/Drug‑Free Employer.