About us:

The Bread Factory is the UK's leading artisan bakery. Founded by Gail Meija in 1993, The Bread Factory, originally known as Gail Force, began by supplying some of London's most prestigious restaurants, including many with Michelin stars. More than three decades later, we continue to work closely with the best chefs, alongside grocers, foodservice partners and our own neighbourhood bakery, GAIL's.

The Bread Factory is synonymous with quality. We have been awarded more than 100 Great Taste Awards and have held a Royal Warrant since 2016, when it was first granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2024, the warrant was renewed by His Majesty The King.

We source our ingredients thoughtfully, partnering with farmers and millers who align with our values. The result: delicious, carefully made baked goods that support a more sustainable and nutritious food system; bringing great bread to more tables every day.

Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing:

Innovation & Product Development

• Lead the site's innovation agenda, turning customer briefs, consumer insights and market trends into innovative, commercially successful products.
• Identify new product opportunities through market research, emerging trends, ingredients and consumer behaviours.
• Drive product development from initial concept and customer presentation through to factory launch and full-scale production.
• Work closely with Commercial, Marketing and Procurement teams to build a strong innovation pipeline aligned with customer and business objectives.
• Balance creativity, commercial viability, manufacturing capabilities and profitability.

Project Management & Delivery

• Lead the Stage Gate process, ensuring all feasibility assessments, costings, approvals and risk management activities are completed.
• Plan and lead factory trials, working closely with Production and Process teams to ensure products can be consistently manufactured at scale.
• Attend first production runs, providing technical guidance and supporting successful product launches.
• Monitor project progress, manage competing priorities and ensure delivery within agreed timescales.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach and develop a team of three Product Developers, creating a collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture.
• Set clear objectives, manage priorities and support individual development and succession planning.
• Encourage creative thinking, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the team.

Quality, Technical & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet customer expectations, food safety, regulatory and quality standards.
• Oversee product specifications, Quality Attribute Standards (QAS), shelf-life assessments and technical documentation.
• Ensure product files, process specifications and trial records are accurate, up to date and audit-ready.
• Work closely with Technical, Operations, Process and Supply Chain teams to maintain product quality and consistency.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Growth

• Identify opportunities to improve development processes, innovation and speed to market.
• Monitor innovation pipeline performance, launch success and key development measures.
• Contribute to the site's long-term innovation strategy, balancing customer-led projects, cost improvements and breakthrough innovations.

Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have:

Leadership & Communication

• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across different functions and with customers.
• Confidence presenting ideas, challenging thinking and engaging stakeholders at all levels.

Innovation & Commercial Awareness

• A passion for food, product innovation and understanding consumer trends.
• The ability to turn customer and market insights into commercially successful products.
• Strong commercial awareness, balancing creativity with cost, quality and operational requirements.

Project Management & Technical Expertise

• Experience managing multiple projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing, processing technologies and factory capabilities.
• Proven experience developing and scaling products from kitchen concept to full-scale production.
• Good knowledge of HACCP, food safety, quality systems, retailer standards and customer requirements.
• Ability to interpret trial results, shelf-life data and product quality measurements to support decision-making.
• Proactive, positive and results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Highly organised, adaptable and resilient, able to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture.
• Passionate about creating great products, delivering exceptional quality and continuously improving how things are done.

What’s in it for you:

Fresh bread daily to take home to enjoy with family and friends.

50% discount at GAIL’s and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets.

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Discounts and Savings from high-street retailers and restaurants

24-hour GP service

Cycle to work scheme