Job Details

Production/Operations Manager

Hours - Monday - Friday 40 hours per week

Salary: up to £65,000 per annum dependant on experience

A bit about us...!

BAKO is a leading supplier of Bakery Products and Ingredients servicing customers throughout the United Kingdom. BAKO Ltd forms an integral part of the BAKO Group Ltd with revenues of £150m and 400 employees. The Group is the largest bakery goods wholesaler in the UK with National coverage serviced via its depots in Preston, Wimbledon, Durham, Northern Ireland and now Cullompton.

Launched over 60 years ago, BAKO offers the food industry an outstanding combination of competitive prices plus the exceptional customer service only a local company can provide. Today our customers enjoy the combined purchasing power, logistics and resources of one of the largest nationwide distributors to the food industry. From large pallet deliveries to products for the small & home baker, BAKO caters to all size of customer.

Our multi-temperature distribution fleet allows us to deliver a wide variety of ambient, chilled and frozen products from the same vehicles. We serve an ever-expanding customer base within the food industry which ranges from traditional organisations through to new companies catering for the latest convenience markets.

Purpose of Job

The Production/Operations Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing and production activities within Finlay Foods, ensuring products are produced safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. The role will drive operational performance, maximise productivity, maintain compliance with food safety regulations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the production team.

Job Description

Production Operations

• Plan, organise, and oversee daily production activities to meet customer demand and business objectives.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved in line with customer demand and business requirements.
• Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Optimise labour, equipment, and material utilisation to maximise operational efficiency.
• Minimise downtime, waste, and production losses.

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop production supervisors and the production teams.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and identify training and development needs.
• Manage attendance, disciplinary matters, and employee engagement activities.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and succession planning across the production function.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, legal, and customer requirements.
• Support and maintain HACCP, BRCGS, and relevant food manufacturing standards.
• Promote a strong food safety culture throughout the production operation.
• Work closely with the Quality/Technical team to investigate and resolve quality issues and customer complaints.
• Ensure allergen controls, traceability requirements, and cleaning procedures are rigorously followed.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean
• Manufacturing, waste reduction initiatives and problem-solving techniques.
• Analyse production data and KPI performance to drive improvements.
• Support capital investment projects and new product introductions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Planning, Maintenance, NPD, Technical, Supply Chain, and Warehouse & Transport teams.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and labour resources are available to meet production plans
• Support new product development trials and product launches.
• Ensure effective communication between departments to achieve business objectives.
• Support customer audits and internal audits as required.

Main Duties

Production Operations

• Plan, organise, and oversee daily production activities to meet customer demand and business objectives.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved in line with customer demand and business requirements.
• Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Optimise labour, equipment, and material utilisation to maximise operational efficiency.
• Minimise downtime, waste, and production losses.

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop production supervisors and the production teams.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and identify training and development needs.
• Manage attendance, disciplinary matters, and employee engagement activities.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and succession planning across the production function.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, legal, and customer requirements.
• Support and maintain HACCP, BRCGS, and relevant food manufacturing standards.
• Promote a strong food safety culture throughout the production operation.
• Work closely with the Quality/Technical team to investigate and resolve quality issues and customer complaints.
• Ensure allergen controls, traceability requirements, and cleaning procedures are rigorously followed.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean
• Manufacturing, waste reduction initiatives and problem-solving techniques.
• Analyse production data and KPI performance to drive improvements.
• Support capital investment projects and new product introductions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Planning, Maintenance, NPD, Technical, Supply Chain, and Warehouse & Transport teams.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and labour resources are available to meet production plans
• Support new product development trials and product launches.
• Ensure effective communication between departments to achieve business objectives.
• Support customer audits and internal audits as required.

Job Requirements

Essentials

• Proven experience in a Production Manager role within food manufacturing
• Strong understanding of batch manufacturing processes.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Knowledge of food safety systems, BRCGS, HACCP, and quality standards.
• Experience managing KPIs and production performance.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.
• Experience with ERP or manufacturing management systems.

Desirable

• Experience within chilled, frozen, or ambient food production environments.
  
• IOSH or NEBOSH Health & Safety qualification.
  
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement qualification.

What We Offer

• 29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata)
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance cover
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to Apply

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