Bakery Team Leader

Bakery Team LeaderLocation: LeicesterSalary: £13.50 per hour (approx. £28,000 per annum) + private healthcare + pensionHours: Sunday to Thursday, 5am-2/3pmContract: Permanent | Full-timeReports to: Production ManagerAbout the BusinessThis leading food manufacturer specialises in producing high-quality, authentic Indian products for the UK retail market. Combining traditional cooking methods with modern production techniques, the company is growing rapidly and investing heavily in innovation, people, and process improvement.They're known for a supportive, team-oriented culture where great ideas are valued, and hard work is recognised. This is a business where reliability, leadership, and pride in craftsmanship matter.The OpportunityWe're looking for a hands-on Bakery Team Leader to take charge of day-to-day bakery operations - someone who leads by example, drives quality and performance, and inspires their team to deliver exceptional results.This role suits a self-starter with a calm head under pressure, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to motivate people in a fast-moving food production environment. You'll be a key link between production staff and management, ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely from start to finish.Key ResponsibilitiesProduction & QualityOversee all bakery line operations to meet production targets safely and efficiently.Maintain quality standards across all baked goods, ensuring consistency in appearance, texture, and weight.Conduct regular product and equipment checks to prevent downtime and uphold quality.Ensure machinery such as ovens, mixers, and depositors are used, cleaned, and maintained correctly.Team LeadershipLead, train, and motivate a team of bakery operatives to achieve daily objectives.Organise team schedules, breaks, and shift cover to maximise productivity.Foster an inclusive, respectful, and high-performance team culture.Support team members' development through coaching and on-the-job training.Reporting & ImprovementMonitor and record key production metrics through short interval control (SIC) reporting.Identify and resolve issues promptly - whether process, quality, or mechanical.Take an active role in continuous improvement projects, sharing ideas that enhance efficiency and reduce waste.Health, Safety & ComplianceEnsure all staff adhere to strict hygiene, food safety, and health and safety standards.Complete pre-start checks and maintain accurate records.Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.Skills & Experience RequiredProven experience in bakery, food manufacturing, or a similar production environment.Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to inspire and guide others.Solid understanding of food safety, quality assurance, and H&S principles.Effective problem solver who stays composed under pressure.Confident decision-maker with a focus on results and team performance.Desirable:o Forklift licence (Counterbalance)o First aid training.o Familiarity with SIC or other production control systems.Personal QualitiesReliable, trustworthy, and consistent - the team can depend on you.Naturally proactive with a 'get it done' mindset.Takes ownership and pride in the product and process.Strong sense of accountability and attention to detail.Keen to contribute to a growing business and be part of its success story.What's in It for YouCompetitive hourly rate of £13.50 (approx. £28k).Private healthcare and company pension scheme.Sunday to Thursday shifts - early finish on Fridays.Training and professional development opportunities.Supportive, passionate leadership team.A chance to play a key role in a growing, high-quality food brand. Barker Ross Group values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business. JBRP1_UKTJ