Bakery Team Leader Food Manufacturing
Location: West Lothian
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent
Shift Pattern: Various
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Empower Talent is pleased to be partnering with a leading UK food manufacturer to recruit an experienced Bakery Team Leader. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced production environment, with a passion for developing teams and maintaining high standards in quality and safety.
Youll be an essential part of the bakery operation - motivating and guiding a team of production operatives to deliver daily production targets while ensuring compliance with all food safety and H&S protocols. As a key point of contact on the bakery floor, youll also play a critical role in cross-functional communication and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and supervise a team of production operatives to ensure the smooth running of the bakery line
* Maintain a strong focus on quality, safety, hygiene, and performance targets
* Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and H&S regulations
* Monitor product quality, ingredients, and equipment throughout production runs
* Promote clean as you go practices and good manufacturing processes (GMP)
* Coordinate with planning, technical, maintenance, dispatch and quality teams to maintain workflow and resolve issues quickly
* Help identify training needs and assist the Shift Manager in delivering training plans
* Monitor team attendance and performance; support in managing performance-related matters
* Oversee agency and temporary team members to ensure productivity and engagement
* Record and report on production output, downtime, and other key metrics
* Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and implementing process efficiencies
* Operate machinery or support on the line as needed
* Provide cover for Shift Managers during absence
What Were Looking For:
* Experience leading or supervising a team in a food production or FMCG environment
* A strong understanding of food safety and health & safety practices
* Proactive, hands-on leadership style with the ability to motivate and coach others
* Comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
* Strong communication and coordination skills across teams and departments
* Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence
Desirable:
* Previous bakery production experience
* Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and audit standards
* Experience supporting agency/temporary staff in a high-volume operation
Benefits:
* Competitive salary based on experience
* Company pension scheme
* Opportunities for career progression
* Supportive, values-driven working environment
* On-site facilities and free parking
* Employee assistance programme and staff discounts
If you're an experienced team leader or senior operative looking to step into a bigger leadership role, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a business that values quality, people, and progress.
Apply now through Empower Talent.
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