Job Description
The Recipe
Quality and Innovation
We place quality and innovation at the heart of everything we do, and everyone across our business is focused on delivering the best bakery in Britain both now and for the future.
We have a team of dedicated Quality and Technical experts (our bakery boffins!) who spend every day making sure the highest standards of quality are met across all our bakeries and that we’re always focused on how we can improve.
Over the last 10 years, we have invested in new baking kit so we can create our latest innovations including Thins, Giant Crumpets, Thin Bagels and Bagels. Only by investing in innovation can we continue to lead the bakery market and bring exciting new products to the shelves.
In 2019 we opened our dedicated Research and Innovation Centre, where our clever product development teams have access to the best technology to help them bake the next big thing!
Key Accountabilities and Measures
As a member of the Quality Senior Leadership Team (SLT) contribute to the development, review and delivery of the Quality Strategy to support the overall Warburtons 5 Year business plan and framework.
Operate as business lead for the Process element of the Quality Strategy.
To lead the Product & Process Quality team. To motivate and develop them to ensure successful delivery of business priorities now and in the future.
To identify talent and facilitate opportunities for development of the wider team in order to fulfil both our talent pipeline and business needs.
Act as the key technical subject matter expert for Warburtons leveraging external relationships across the relevant food and science-based communities to continually improve our approaches enabling better quality products to be delivered more consistently and efficiently (time and cost).
To work in close collaboration with both Central Engineering team and key equipment suppliers to deliver best in class process development.
Working with Quality and Procurement colleagues, drive key suppliers to ensure best in class ingredient innovation and ongoing development of a shared development plan to deliver best in class ingredient technology.
Lead the organisation in effectively using the R&I Centre as a key resource to deliver Unbeatable Quality and Breakthrough Innovation.
Management of the R&I facilities working with Innovation and Quality colleagues in conjunction with the facility Executive lead.
Essential Ingredients
* Strategic Vision and Execution: Has a proven track record of developing and implementing effective long-term plans that align with organisational goals. Demonstrates an ability to break down ideas into actionable plans and manage change effectively.
* Financial Acumen and Budget Management: Manages budgets effectively, ensuring value for money and a clear understanding of return on investment. Sound commercial awareness, understanding the cost of quality in the context of our commercial and operational environment.
* Strategic Communication: Demonstrates the ability to consider context and environment, adapting communication and coaching styles to effectively reach diverse audiences and achieve organisational objectives.
* Leadership and Team Development: Exhibits strong leadership skills, including the ability to recruit, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. Ensures effective talent and succession planning, regular team engagement, and proficient handling of HR processes.Effective coach and mentor with experience of motivating people both directly and indirectly.
* Proven track record of delivering activities and projects within time and budgetary constraints and with clear stakeholder management.
* Knowledge and appreciation of data-driven business processes and their management with appropriate understanding of governance requirements.
* Experience of dealing with external bodies to leverage their knowledge to generate the required insight for Warburtons: FOB, FDF, Campden, Eurofins, etc.
* Excellent communication skills: articulate, influential, persuasive, impactful verbal, written and presentation skills.
* Excellent relationship builder - establishing credibility with both internal and external contacts at all levels.
* Science-based degree with relevant post-graduate qualifications and/or significant relevant industry and science/technical-based experience.
* A recognised expert in baking, milling, analytical or other relevant technical disciplines with strong industry/science/technical community profile/credentials.
Extra Dough
Be part of a great family.
As a family run business with a clear purpose and values, we provide staple products that help to feed our nation. You’ve probably tasted our products - now have a taste of what it means to be part of the family behind developing, creating and delivering all the incredible products that we’re famous for.
Warburtons is an iconic family business. Five generations of quality excellence - but family to us means everyone who works here. Fantastic products and inspirational people. We hope you enjoy exploring if Warburtons is right for you and you want to be a part of our continued journey… It really is rewarding to be Warburtons.
As a modern family business, we have always strived to make Warburtons an enjoyable place to work so that you grow with us as we work together to achieve our vision to be Britain’s Best Food Business.
Our people are the key ingredient needed to achieve this. We value our people and are proud to offer a wide range of reward and benefits, from an award winning pension plan, profit share scheme and voluntary benefits website Extra Dough.
By offering a range of excellent benefits, we can be sure to attract and retain top talent to drive the business forward. We pride ourselves on being on top of our game, leading the way in our industry and our reward package is a reflection on this.