Head of Production; Food Manufacturing

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Head of Production to join our team, you will take full ownership of production across two shifts, ensuring products are delivered efficiently and to the highest quality standards. You will work closely with our Planning & Logistics teams to ensure we have the right plans in place to deliver our ambitious growth plans both long and short term.

In this role, you will lead, develop and motivate production teams, manage schedules and resources, and drive performance against key operational and financial targets. With accountability for the production budget, labour cost and yield, you will play a key part in continuous improvement initiatives, helping to optimise processes, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.

The Head of Production will also ensure full compliance with health & safety, quality, allergen management and regulatory standards, championing our food safety culture and the maintenance of our BRCGS AA certification, while working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and growth.

As a member of our senior leadership team, you will contribute to the wider Company strategy, leading deployment projects and ensuring we have the right resources in place to deliver both our short, medium and long term plans.

Four Anjels are a fast-growing bakery business in the food service and premium retail sector. We supply a range of the highest quality artisan sweet bakery treats. Our dynamic team works together collaboratively with a drive for results and a shared passion for quality.

Four Anjels is part of the Olidor Group, a growing portfolio of companies within the food industry. The Olidor Group also includes Brusco Food Group, an industry expert in ingredients supply, Karimix, a specialist worldwide inspired sauce producer, and The Original Baker, a producer of premium artisan baked goods.

• Oversee the day to day running of Production, ensuring smooth operations and resolving issues as they arise.
• Lead communication across Production, ensuring regular briefings take place.
• Lead, develop, and motivate Production teams to achieve Company KPIs and customer requirements.
• Own the production schedule, maximising workflow efficiency and minimising downtime through efficient clean downs and changeovers.
• Take accountability for the production budget, delivering yield, labour cost, wastage and safety targets in line with Company plans.
• Work cross functionally to deliver continuous improvement and automation initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain equipment and improve processes.
• Work closely with our Continuous Improvement & Engineering team to optimise systems & processes in the Bakery.
• Champion our food safety culture, upholding food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards and working with the Technical team to maintain our BRCGS AA
  * certification.
• Ensure robust allergen management and segregation across all shifts, upholding customer and BRCGS requirements.
• Work closely with our Technical & Commercial teams on all internal and external audits, including customer and BRCGS audits, driving corrective actions through to completion.
• Support H&S compliance, maintaining a safe working environment and ensuring correct use of PPE.
• Manage team performance through 1-2-1 reviews, training and development.
• Line manage and coach a team of Shift Managers and Section Leaders.
• Effectively manage any escalated employee relations issues.
• Identify resourcing needs and lead the recruitment and the onboarding process.
• Work collaboratively with teams to ensure production runs smoothly and product launches are successful.
• Produce weekly and monthly reports highlighting business performance, successes and challenges, and contribute to team and senior leadership meetings.
• Ensure all production documentation and IT systems are accurately completed and maintained in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.

• Substantial (10 years+) production leadership experience within food manufacturing is essential, ideally in a premium or handcrafted…