Test Bakery Manager

Date: 24 Oct 2025

Location:

Edinburgh, GB

Place of Work: On-Site

Employee Shift: Monday - Friday 37.5 in Bakery

Company Description

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies! ……And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge).

FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company.

We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Albans. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations.

We are currently the second biscuit manufacturer in the UK market with a strong ambition of becoming UK Market Leader.

Whilst we know that we have delicious products we also know that that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox’s or the choc-chip to our Maryland?! We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact.

We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues’ professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences.

Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

About The Role

As Test Bakery Manager you will be leading the development of our biscuits to support the ambition of our UK brands and retail own label customer strategies and growth plans.

You will be responsible for the creation and deliver of category leading concepts, specific to the Test Bakery you will be overseeing. You will also be responsible for the management and development of a team based at one of our four test bakeries.

To succeed in this role, you will have the gravitas to influence at a senior level and be able to inspire and develop a team which is best in class. Your understanding of the category and more importantly our bakery capabilities will be constantly honed through interaction with the relevant stakeholders that you will work hard to build strong internal relationships with.

Main Responsibilities

• Driving the development of products from initial concept to handover to the Industrialisation team
• Working with the other TBMs to ensure consistency of output and a continuous improvement culture.
• Correct and accurate completion of documentation by the Team for all activity
• Timely and accurate reporting of KPIs, working with the Head of Test Bakeries to deliver reports back to the business
• Ensure the Company is at the forefront of innovation and aware of new competitor launches and current food trends
• Ensure all new products are developed in line with product briefs and that they are commercial, costed accurately and do not create undo complexity in the bakeries.
• Take ownership of the Test Bakery process, supporting the Stage and Gate process, by putting in clear and workable processes
• Modify existing products aligned to VE, biscuit rationalisation, sugar reduction etc
• Put in place clear ways of working for the Test Bakery team so they understand what good looks like
• Work hands on in the test bakery where required.
• Ensure that all developments are well communicated to all internal functions.
• Ensure all products are presented to the internal and external customers in a professional manner, demonstrating your product and process knowledge and expertise.
• Manage the Test Bakery team effectively, supporting, directing and motivating them. Provide regular appraisals and training plans.
• Ensure a close working relationship with the RB&P, R&D Brand Development, Industrialisation and Packaging teams.
• Drive the Raw Material innovation agenda to investigate, review and test new materials.
• Liaise with suppliers to maintain an up-to-date market knowledge
• Conduct store visits on a regular basis to keep abreast of competitor development.
• Carry out benchmarking on a regular basis and coordinate regular benchmarking exercise on core ranges / seasonal events for use across all retailers.
  
  

The duties described here may be adapted to meet the needs of a changing organisation and therefore is expected to evolve in line with the organisation.

Who We Are Looking For

• A Foodie at heart – a sweet tooth essential!
• Food Science or Development degree or Pastry chef trained
• Keen interest in newness in the sweet goods category
• Experience in a commercial bakery environment
• Experience managing a team
• Good working knowledge of Bakery raw materials
• Passion for creativity and innovation
• Inquisitive, continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to deliver consistent, high quality samples and concepts
• Proven track record in maintaining good working relationships.
• Good presentation skills (written & verbal).
• Strong analytical skills
• Good IT skills
• Works well under pressure / under time constraints
• Self-starter, self-motivating good understanding/ appreciation of the broader business
• Proven track record of delivering multiple complex projects
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Great communicator
• Willingness to work outside of core hours and away from Batley site as and when required
  
  

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.