Head of Operations

For more than 150 years, Stephens Bakery has been committed to producing the freshest and best tasting food, using the finest local ingredients in Scotland. Stephens is a multi-award-winning, family run bakery with a varied portfolio of 15 retail outlets and a presence in over 160 convenience stores spanning the central belt of Scotland. Recognised as the UK’s Best Craft Bakery in 2021 and Scotland’s Best Retail Bakery in 2022, they operate with a passion for innovation and quality, putting the customer at the heart of everything they do.

Following a sustained period of growth, a new role of Head of Operations has been created to join the senior leadership team and improve the operational efficiency of the bakery, enabling even more ambitious growth plans to be met. Reporting directly to the Directors, the Head of Operations will be responsible for leadership and strategic oversight, continuous improvement initiatives and the training and development of the factory operations team. The Head of Operations will lead and manage the operations of the bakery, fostering a culture of excellence in lean practices, customer focus and initiatives to optimise productivity and reduce waste.

•  Leadership and Culture Development: Foster and promote a positive, inclusive team culture that aligns with the company’s values, driving collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the company’s vision and focus on product excellence and quality enhancement.
• Personal Development and Training: Design and implement comprehensive training initiatives to upskill employees and promote best practices.
•  Continuous improvement programme: Identify and drive process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall production quality.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee and maintain rigorous quality control standards, ensuring all products meet or exceed customer expectations whilst achieving the highest standards of hygiene and food safety.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish and track KPIs to monitor operational performance, identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Resource Management: Manage resources efficiently, including team members and equipment to optimise production capabilities and support growth.
• Departmental Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams; including sales, admin, and NPD to ensure seamless operations and support wider business objectives.