Bakery Operations Manager

Paterson, NJ, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $103,549.00 - $194,194.00

Work Schedule

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Disability insurance

retirement savings options

flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Programs

educational assistance

Parental leave

Paid Time Off

Company-paid holidays

Job Description

C.H. Guenther & Son is a renowned food production company with a rich heritage of delivering quality bakery products. With a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, this company operates within the commercial food manufacturing sector, specializing in bakery production. Their operations are built on years of experience and dedication to creating products that meet the highest standards of taste, quality, and safety. Known for their consistent delivery of bakery items, they integrate advanced technology with expert craftsmanship to remain a leader in the industry. The company also prioritizes a supportive and inclusive workplace environment, ensuring their teams have the resources and training necessary to thrive and grow.

The role of Bakery Operations Manager at C.H. Guenther & Son is critical in ensuring the seamless management of daily bakery production activities. This position bridges the gap between hands-on bakery production and strategic operational oversight. The Operations Manager will be responsible for managing all facets of the bakery production process, from scheduling and workflow optimization to quality control and team leadership. This role demands a proactive approach to maintaining product consistency, championing food safety standards, and fostering continuous process improvements throughout the bakery operations. The manager will also oversee equipment maintenance and collaborate with R&D and QA teams to uphold and advance baking technologies and standards.

This role is full-time and offers a competitive salary range from $103,549 to $194,194, reflecting the importance of technical expertise and leadership in driving bakery production success. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in commercial or industrial bakery operations and a strong foundation in baking science. They will be adept at managing teams, processes, and quality assurance activities, and capable of addressing technical production challenges creatively and effectively.

In addition to overseeing production and quality, the Bakery Operations Manager is expected to act as a technical expert within the production teams, providing guidance on ingredient functionality and troubleshooting. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive technical playbook that details critical control points and best practices. Continuous improvement will be a key aspect of this role, with responsibility for introducing new technologies and optimizing processes to improve efficiency and output.

Applicants should expect to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with potential shifts during early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Exposure to industrial equipment and bakery ingredients like flour dust is part of the working conditions. C.H. Guenther & Son offers a wide range of benefits including health and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, educational assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and more, making this role both rewarding and competitive. This is an excellent opportunity for bakery professionals looking to leverage their technical and leadership skills in a dynamic and supportive company environment.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science bakery science or a related discipline preferred
Five or more years of bakery production experience including leadership responsibilities
Experience in commercial or industrial bakery operations
Strong knowledge of baking science including fermentation dough handling and ingredient functionality
Broad ingredient knowledge and expertise in grain-based applications
Expert understanding of process conditions and formulation choices
Familiarity with automated production systems and commercial bakery equipment
Working knowledge of food-safety standards and programs such as HACCP and GMP
Ability to train and transfer technical knowledge to plant operations and QA teams
Strong leadership and team management skills
Problem-solving abilities
Excellent organizational and communication skills

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science Bakery Science or a related discipline preferred
Five or more years of bakery production experience including leadership responsibilities
Experience in commercial or industrial bakery operations
Strong knowledge of baking science including fermentation dough handling and ingredient functionality with broad ingredient knowledge and expertise in grain-based applications
Expert understanding of how process conditions and formulation choices interact to drive product performance
Familiarity with automated production systems and commercial bakery equipment
Working knowledge of food-safety standards and programs such as HACCP and GMP
Ability to train and transfer technical knowledge effectively to plant operations and QA teams
Ability to analyze technical challenges and develop practical creative and effective solutions
Strong leadership and team management abilities
Problem-solving and process improvement mindset
Excellent organizational and communication skills

Job Duties

Oversee day-to-day bakery production ensuring products meet quality consistency and volume targets
Develop and manage production schedules that meet demand while minimizing waste
Monitor workflow performance and implement continuous improvements
Standardize recipes procedures and baking methods to ensure repeatable results
Optimize end-to-end baking processes including mixing proofing baking cooling and packaging
Troubleshoot production issues related to dough development fermentation equipment performance or ingredient variability
Develop and maintain a comprehensive technical playbook detailing troubleshooting approaches and critical control points
Evaluate and introduce new technologies automation and production techniques as appropriate
Partner with R&D and QA to define processing standards that deliver target product attributes
Ensure compliance with food-safety regulations and programs such as HACCP FDA and local health codes
Maintain standards for product consistency flavor texture and appearance
Conduct routine quality checks internal audits and corrective actions
Educate QA team on diagnosing defect root causes and formulating remedies
Supervise train and mentor bakery staff and production teams
Serve as the technical bakery expert for production teams providing guidance on ingredient functionality processing methods troubleshooting and best practices
Set clear performance expectations and provide timely coaching and feedback
Foster a safe productive and collaborative work environment
Oversee operation and upkeep of bakery equipment including ovens mixers proofers and related systems
Coordinate preventive maintenance and timely repairs to minimize downtime
Assess performance and recommend equipment upgrades or replacements
Manage inventories of raw materials ingredients and packaging supplies
Control costs reduce waste and improve margins through disciplined operating practices
Partner with procurement to ensure ingredient quality continuity of supply and competitive cost
Collaborate with R&D and Culinary teams to develop formulations processing parameters and specifications
Scale formulas from bench-top or small-batch trials to full-scale production
Define and communicate processing guidelines and feasibility assessments based on plant capabilities