Job Description

Shift Production Manager - Nantwich, Cheshire
We rise to challenges together
Permanent
4 on 4 off Rotating Days and Nights 06:00 - 18:00/18:00 - 06:00
Competitive salary plus Bonus scheme up to 10% of basic salary and Private Healthcare
Why join us?
We're ready for anything. We thrive on challenge and change. The undeniable pressure and pace of our 24/7 operation keeps us on our toes and offers a variety of career pathways and options to explore and pursue. We encourage everyone to work hard, push further and show resilience. And it's exciting. Because only by mentoring and role modelling our success and innovation, will we continue to diversify, grow as individuals and succeed together.
About the role.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Shift Production Manager to join our busy food manufacturing facility in Aston, Cheshire. You will lead a shift with multiple areas within the factory and deputise for the Factory Manager as required.
The site makes specialty hand-crafted flatbreads, baguettes, doughballs and ciabattas for customers including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys.
Accountabilities.

• Using Continuous Improvement tools and techniques e.g. Performance Improvement Plans, team result plans, value stream mapping, line balancing and problem solving, utilising the Bakkavor Operating System e.g. RedZone to ensure that targets are met and regularly challenged / improved upon.

• To lead and drive standards of quality, food safety, hygiene and housekeeping within areas / shift, to ensure that both Business and Customer standards are maintained.

• Attend daily factory reviews and coach team members to ensure the quality of the meetings and actions is to the right standard. Accountable for delivering high quality Top Loss/ Kaizen activity for shift.

• To pro-actively review and manage the performance of all team members across your shift. Utilise KPI data to benchmark, challenge and drive performance improvement.

• In conjunction with the Learning and Development team, ensure the effective ownership, planning and delivery of training and development activity across your shift.

• In conjunction with the Process Development team, support the co-ordination of NPD activity ensuring teams have the information, resources and time to deliver successful process from product trial to launch.

• Effectively plan, organise and measure labour and material requirements to ensure that both short- and long- term agreed targets are met.

• Agree core manning detail for shift, including skills required and work closely with the central recruitment team ensuring the team recruitment process meets the business needs. Takes accountability for labour turnover performance.

• Develop and maintain an engagement culture where effective two-way communication is welcomed, clear and embraced by all colleagues and encourages the Bakkavor values.

About you.

• Experience in the food industry, especially chilled food or FMCG is preferable but not essential.

• Proven track record of effective interaction with operational and non-operational stakeholders to deliver manufacturing targets while maintaining SHE and food safety standards.

• To be able to demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills (verbal, written and presentations). And experience of motivating and engaging teams.

• A logical, analytical and clear thinking approach, particularly under pressure.

• Has a rounded and balanced sense of judgement, recognising when to escalate issues to more senior levels of management.

• Must be adaptable and flexible to working hours and areas.

• Intermediate Food Hygiene and IOSHH qualifications are preferable.

What you'll receive.
As an equal opportunity employer, we're committed to providing a safe and rewarding environment for you to thrive in. This is why we work hard to deliver benefits, rewards and wellbeing offerings that are important to you.
You'll enjoy:

• Life Assurance (2.5 x salary)
• Short Term Bonus Scheme up to 10% of basic salary
• 24 days holiday
• Staff Shop
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• MyBargains Discount Platform
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Free Independent Mortgage Advice
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A Range of voluntary benefits (holiday purchase scheme, additional life assurance, dental & hospital cash plans)
• Discounted tutoring for children
• Access to financial learning tools and affordable loans via your salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Free Carparking

Proud to be Bakkavor.
We're proud to be the market leader in the UK fresh prepared food industry. We're proud to supply meals, salads, desserts, pizza and bread to leading grocery retailers including Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. We're driven by the hard work and passion of our people and are delighted to offer a wide range of careers across our business - come and join our dedicated Bakkavor team!
At Bakkavor, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, and we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and ensure fair, transparent recruitment practices. Learn more about our commitment in our Inclusion and Diversity Policy ( ).
Find out more and apply.
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Bakkavor
We are the leading provider of fresh prepared food in the UK, with operations also in the US, positioning the Group well in these high-growth markets. We leverage our consumer insight and scale to provide innovative food that offers quality, choice, convenience, and freshness. Around 15,000 colleagues operate from 31 sites across our two markets supplying a large portfolio of products across meals, pizza & bread, salads and desserts to leading grocery retailers in the UK and US.
Department: Manufacturing
Location:
Nantwich, GB, CW5 8DL
Workplace: Site Based
Date: 22 Dec 2025
Req ID: 26749

Skills Required