Role Overview
As the Production Manager, you will be the driving force behind our manufacturing excellence. You will be fully responsible for overseeing daily plant operations, ensuring that all production targets are met safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance the technical demands of commercial food manufacturing with the authentic, artisanal quality that defines Erni's Bakery. You will manage a diverse team, spearhead continuous improvement initiatives, and work closely with senior management to facilitate our ongoing expansion.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the entire daily bakery production operations to ensure output targets are consistently met.
- Lead, motivate, and manage the production team across multiple shifts to ensure high performance.
- Ensure strict adherence to food safety standards, hygiene (HACCP), and health & safety regulations.
- Monitor and control inventory levels of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging supplies.
- Identify and implement continuous process improvements to optimize manufacturing efficiency.
- Manage production equipment and coordinate comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules.
- Conduct regular quality control checks throughout the production cycle to maintain product standards.
- Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all production processes.
- Coordinate with the supply chain and procurement teams to forecast material requirements.
- Manage staff scheduling, monitor attendance, and conduct regular performance evaluations.
- Train, onboard, and mentor production staff on operational best practices and safety protocols.
- Implement strategies to minimize waste and optimize yield across all authentic product lines.
- Ensure accurate, compliant, and timely record-keeping for production logs and full traceability.
- Collaborate directly with dispatch and logistics teams to ensure seamless end-to-end order fulfillment.
- Investigate, document, and promptly resolve any production deviations or product quality issues.
- Assist in the scaling, testing, and trial of new product recipes for commercial-scale production.
- Manage the departmental operational budget, control production costs, and report on key metrics.
- Foster a positive culture of safety, continuous learning, respect, and teamwork on the factory floor
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience managing production within a commercial bakery or food manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of two (2) years' commercial experience producing enriched loaf breads with authentic African and Caribbean flavours.
- Demonstrable commercial experience producing Agege Bread and other Nigerian-style breads using consistent, scalable manufacturing processes.
- Practical experience using roux methods (including water roux/Tangzhong techniques) within a commercial bakery environment.
- Strong understanding of commercial bread manufacturing processes.
- Experience supervising bakery production teams Experience preparing production schedules.
- Experience managing stock, raw materials and production planning.
- Strong understanding of storage methods and specialist packaging techniques required to preserve the softness, freshness and structure of Agege Bread and similar enriched breads during transportation and distribution.
- Experience scaling bakery recipes and manufacturing processes from development batches to commercial production volumes while maintaining consistent quality.
- Strong knowledge of quality assurance procedures Knowledge of food hygiene legislation and food safety standards.
- Ability to maintain consistent product quality across large production volumes.
- Ability to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce waste. Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to train and mentor production staff. Strong problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of traditional African and Afro-Caribbean bakery production techniques.
What We Offer
- Permanent full-time employment.
- Competitive salary.
- Career progression.
- Ongoing professional development and training.
- Opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of a specialist UK bakery manufacturer.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
Pay: £40,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
- UK visa sponsorship
Application question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have working in a Nigerian bakery environment with Nigerian and African recipes?
- Have you worked in commercial food environment?
Experience:
- Nigerian Bakery : 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
