Test Bakery Manager

Company description:

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies!...And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge). 

FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company. 

We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Ilse of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset. We also have offices for our supporting services in St Albans, Liverpool and Moreton. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing employees across all our locations.  
We are currently the second biscuit manufacturer in the UK market with a strong ambition of becoming the number two biscuit manufacturer worldwide.

We are proud to be part of the Ferrero enlarged family: such a fantastic and successful business. The Ferrero Group operates in more than 50 countries, with products sold in over 170 countries, represented by almost 38.000 employees worldwide, and a consolidated turnover of €12.7 billion (2020-21).
Along with our fantastic brand portfolio, we also have long-term agreements to manufacture several sweet & savoury snacks across Mars, Jacobs, and LU branded products. In addition, we are proud to be a strategic partner for many retailer-branded products.

Our employees make our business special. With strong family values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work with when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial and supporting each whilst meeting our business goals. 
And don't forget… work hard but play harder!

Job description:

About the Role

As Test Bakery Manager you will be leading the development of our biscuits to support the ambition of our UK brands and retail own label customer strategies and growth plans. 

Responsible for the creation and deliver of category leading concepts, specific to the Test Bakery you are responsible for.  You will be responsible for the management and development of a team based at one of our four test bakeries.

To succeed in this role, you will have the gravitas to influence at a senior level and be able to inspire and develop a team which is best in class. Your understanding of the category and more importantly our bakery capabilities will be constantly honed through interaction with the relevant stakeholders that you will work hard to build strong internal relationships with.

Main Responsibilities

• Driving the development of products from initial concept to handover to the Industrialisation team
• Manage the Test Bakery team effectively, supporting, directing and motivating them. Provide regular appraisals and training plans.
• Ensure a close working relationship with the RB&P, R&D Brand Development, Industrialisation and Packaging teams.
• Drive the Raw Material innovation agenda to investigate, review and test new materials.
• Liaise with suppliers to maintain an up-to-date market knowledge
• Correct and accurate completion of documentation by the Team for all activity 
• Timely and accurate reporting of KPIs, working with the Head of Test Bakeries to deliver reports back to the business
• Ensure the Company is at the forefront of innovation and aware of new competitor launches and current food trends
• Ensure all new products are developed in line with product briefs and that they are commercial, costed accurately and do not create undo complexity in the bakeries.
• Carry out benchmarking on a regular basis and coordinate regular benchmarking exercise on core ranges / seasonal events for use across all retailers.

Profile description:

Who we are looking for

• Qualification in Food Science or Development degree or Pastry chef trained
• A Foodie at heart – a sweet tooth essential!
• Keen interest in newness in the sweet goods category
• Experience in a commercial bakery environment
• Experience managing a team
• Good working knowledge of Bakery raw materials
• Works well under pressure / under time constraints  
• Proven track record of delivering multiple complex projects

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.