Department Manager

About us: The Bread Factory is the UK's leading artisan bakery. Founded by Gail Meija in 1993, The Bread Factory, originally known as Gail Force, began by supplying some of London's most prestigious restaurants, including many with Michelin stars. More than three decades later, we continue to work closely with the best chefs, alongside grocers, foodservice partners and our own neighbourhood bakery, GAIL's. The Bread Factory is synonymous with quality. We have been awarded more than 100 Great Taste Awards and have held a Royal Warrant since 2016, when it was first granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2024, the warrant was renewed by His Majesty The King. We source our ingredients thoughtfully, partnering with farmers and millers who align with our values. The result: delicious, carefully made baked goods that support a more sustainable and nutritious food system; bringing great bread to more tables every day. As we continue to expand, we are seeking an experienced Department Manager to lead our growing team at our brand-new Milton Keynes site. Contracted hours: 40 hours – Full Time Working Hours: 3pm-11pm Shift Pattern: Any 5 days out of 7 (weekends might be included as well) Location: Milton Keynes, MK14 Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing: • Lead and manage daily production operations, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery of artisan products. • Develop, coach, and support Line Leaders to achieve excellence in quality and performance. • Monitor production standards, driving continuous improvement in efficiency and innovation. • Uphold food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards across all bakery processes. • Oversee shift planning, performance reviews, and operational reporting with accuracy and consistency. Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have: • Proven leadership experience within food manufacturing or bakery production. • Strong communication and team development skills with a hands-on management approach. • Ability to work under pressure while maintaining exceptional product standards. • Confident with Microsoft Office and production reporting systems. • A proactive, organised, and solution-driven mindset with a passion for quality craftsmanship. What’s in it for you?... • Family-friendly policies such as maternity and paternity pay, and grandparents leave. • 50% GAIL’s 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.