Food Production and Bakery Operations Management Role

Tiger Brands is seeking an experienced and driven Bakery Manager to join its operations in Sasolburg, Free State. This is a full-time, onsite leadership role responsible for overseeing daily bakery operations, ensuring efficient production, maintaining high product quality standards, and achieving financial and operational targets.

The Bakery Manager plays a critical role in leading the bakery team, driving performance, managing operational costs, and ensuring full compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This position requires strong operational planning capability, financial acumen, and a commitment to food safety and quality excellence.

About the Role

The Bakery Manager is accountable for ensuring that production targets and service levels are consistently achieved. The role includes planning and coordinating production schedules in line with demand forecasts while ensuring optimal utilisation of plant, equipment, and resources.

In addition to operational oversight, the Bakery Manager is responsible for maintaining strict adherence to food safety standards, hygiene regulations, and quality control processes. The role also includes managing budgets, controlling costs, leading people, and promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

This position is ideal for a professional with significant experience in manufacturing or bakery operations who is ready to lead a high-performance team in a fast-paced production environment.

Operational Management

The Bakery Manager will oversee daily bakery operations to ensure that production targets and service levels are met.

Production schedules must be planned and coordinated in alignment with demand forecasts.

The role requires ensuring optimal utilisation of plant, equipment, and operational resources.

Production performance must be monitored, and corrective actions implemented where necessary.

Continuous improvement initiatives must be driven to enhance productivity and operational efficiency.

Quality and Food Safety

The Bakery Manager must ensure full compliance with food safety standards, hygiene regulations, and company policies.

Quality control processes must be maintained to ensure consistent product standards.

The role includes managing both internal and external audits and implementing corrective actions as required.

A strong food safety and quality culture must be promoted and embedded within the bakery environment.

Financial and Cost Management

The Bakery Manager is responsible for managing and controlling operational budgets.

Costs related to labour, raw materials, utilities, and waste must be monitored and managed effectively.

Cost-saving initiatives must be identified and implemented without compromising product quality or safety standards.

Key financial and operational performance indicators must be reviewed and reported on regularly.

People Management

The role includes leading, coaching, and developing bakery team members and supervisors.

Effective workforce planning must be ensured to maintain appropriate staffing levels.

Performance management, discipline, and employee relations must be handled in line with company policies.

The Bakery Manager must foster a positive, safe, and high-performance work environment.

Health and Safety

Compliance with occupational health and safety regulations is essential.

Safe work practices must be promoted to reduce workplace incidents.

Regular safety inspections and risk assessments must be conducted.

Stakeholder and Cross-Functional Collaboration

The Bakery Manager will collaborate with supply chain, distribution, sales, and procurement teams.

Timely product availability must be ensured to maintain customer satisfaction.

Operational updates and performance results must be communicated to senior management.

Key Competencies

Strong leadership and people development capability.

Operational planning and execution expertise.

Sound financial acumen.

Effective problem-solving and decision-making ability.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Results-driven mindset with strong attention to detail.

Qualifications and Experience

A relevant tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Production Management, Operations Management, or a related field is required.

A minimum of 5–8 years’ experience in a manufacturing or bakery environment is required.

At least 3–5 years’ experience in a management or supervisory role is required.

Strong understanding of food safety systems such as HACCP is required.

Proven leadership and financial management skills are essential.

Employment Details

Position: Bakery Manager
Job Requisition ID: JR001609
Company: Tiger Brands
Location: Sasolburg, Free State
Employment Type: Full Time
Work Mode: Onsite
Closing Date: 25 February 2026

In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

Apply for Bakery Manager – Tiger Brands

Candidates who meet the above requirements and have proven experience in bakery production management and food manufacturing leadership are encouraged to apply before the closing date.

👉 Apply for Bakery Manager – Sasolburg

Applications close on 25 February 2026.

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