Aspire Bakeries
Manager, Bakery - 1st Shift
Aspire Bakeries, West Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29172
Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery, Otis Spunkmeyer, and Oakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.
The bakery manager is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of bakery production operations, ensuring product quality, food safety compliance, and process optimization. This role combines technical expertise in baking science with leadership skills to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across the production facility.
Responsibilites:
Oversee daily bakery production operations to ensure consistent product quality, yield, and efficiency
Develop and maintain product specifications, formulations, and standard operating procedures
Conduct regular quality audits and implement corrective actions to address any deviations
Monitor production metrics including waste, efficiency, and throughput to identify improvement opportunities
Trouble shoot technical issues related to ingredients, equipment, or processes respond to alarms in the operating systems and equipment
Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and relevant certifications (FDA, USDA, BRC, etc.)
Lead internal audits and support external third-party audits
Maintain and update food safety documentation, including CCPs, GMPs, and SOPs
Train production staff on food safety protocols, technical standard, process standards and quality standards
Manage allergen control programs and sanitation procedures
Collaborate with R&D teams to scale new product formulations from pilot to full production
Optimize existing recipes for cost efficiency while maintaining quality standards
Evaluate new ingredients, equipment, and technologies to enhance production capabilities
Conduct trials and document results to validate process changes
Oversee preventive maintenance programs for bakery equipment (ovens, mixers, proofers, etc.)
Identify opportunities for automation and equipment upgrades to improve efficiency
Work with engineering teams on equipment installations, modifications, and troubleshooting
Optimize baking parameters including time, temperature, humidity, and mixing specifications
Lead and develop a team of production supervisors, quality technicians, and line staff
Create and deliver technical training programs on baking science, equipment operation, and quality standards
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence
Support career development for team members
Collaborate with procurement teams on ingredient specifications and vendor qualifications
Evaluate ingredient suppliers and conduct vendor audits as needed
Manage raw material quality issues and work with suppliers on resolutions
Support cost reduction initiatives through ingredient optimization
Knowlegde/Skills
Deep understanding of baking science, including dough rheology, fermentation, and ingredient functionality
Proficiency in statistical process control and quality management tools
Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality standards
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Proven leadership and team management experience
Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences
Strong project management and organizational skills
Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, R&D, quality, and supply chain teams
Detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence
Education:
Bachelor's degree preferred in food science, Baking Science, Food Technology, or related field
5+ years of experience in bakery production or food manufacturing, with at least 2 years in technical or management role
Strong knowledge of commercial baking processes, equipment, and ingredients
Experience with food safety management systems (HACCP, GFSI standards)
Experience:
Certifications such as PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), SQF Practitioner, or Certified Food Scientist
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
Knowledge of automated bakery systems
Travel
Minimal to 5%
Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
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The bakery manager is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of bakery production operations, ensuring product quality, food safety compliance, and process optimization. This role combines technical expertise in baking science with leadership skills to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across the production facility.
Responsibilites:
Oversee daily bakery production operations to ensure consistent product quality, yield, and efficiency
Develop and maintain product specifications, formulations, and standard operating procedures
Conduct regular quality audits and implement corrective actions to address any deviations
Monitor production metrics including waste, efficiency, and throughput to identify improvement opportunities
Trouble shoot technical issues related to ingredients, equipment, or processes respond to alarms in the operating systems and equipment
Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and relevant certifications (FDA, USDA, BRC, etc.)
Lead internal audits and support external third-party audits
Maintain and update food safety documentation, including CCPs, GMPs, and SOPs
Train production staff on food safety protocols, technical standard, process standards and quality standards
Manage allergen control programs and sanitation procedures
Collaborate with R&D teams to scale new product formulations from pilot to full production
Optimize existing recipes for cost efficiency while maintaining quality standards
Evaluate new ingredients, equipment, and technologies to enhance production capabilities
Conduct trials and document results to validate process changes
Oversee preventive maintenance programs for bakery equipment (ovens, mixers, proofers, etc.)
Identify opportunities for automation and equipment upgrades to improve efficiency
Work with engineering teams on equipment installations, modifications, and troubleshooting
Optimize baking parameters including time, temperature, humidity, and mixing specifications
Lead and develop a team of production supervisors, quality technicians, and line staff
Create and deliver technical training programs on baking science, equipment operation, and quality standards
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence
Support career development for team members
Collaborate with procurement teams on ingredient specifications and vendor qualifications
Evaluate ingredient suppliers and conduct vendor audits as needed
Manage raw material quality issues and work with suppliers on resolutions
Support cost reduction initiatives through ingredient optimization
Knowlegde/Skills
Deep understanding of baking science, including dough rheology, fermentation, and ingredient functionality
Proficiency in statistical process control and quality management tools
Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality standards
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Proven leadership and team management experience
Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences
Strong project management and organizational skills
Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, R&D, quality, and supply chain teams
Detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence
Education:
Bachelor's degree preferred in food science, Baking Science, Food Technology, or related field
5+ years of experience in bakery production or food manufacturing, with at least 2 years in technical or management role
Strong knowledge of commercial baking processes, equipment, and ingredients
Experience with food safety management systems (HACCP, GFSI standards)
Experience:
Certifications such as PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), SQF Practitioner, or Certified Food Scientist
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
Knowledge of automated bakery systems
Travel
Minimal to 5%
Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr