Bakery Manager

About the role

Are you an experienced bakery manufacturing leader who knows how to build strong teams and deliver consistent results? Do you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where safety, quality, productivity, and people leadership all matter? Palermo’s is looking for a Bakery Manager to lead our bakery operations at our West Milwaukee facility. In this role, you’ll oversee a three-shift, multi-platform bakery operation, develop and support bakery leaders, and partner closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other teams to keep the operation running safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Lead bakery operations across three shifts to achieve goals for safety, quality, productivity, cost, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach, and develop Bakery Leads while creating a culture of accountability, respect, and teamwork.
• Ensure consistent product quality by understanding bakery processes, ingredients, equipment, and environmental factors that impact production.
• Establish performance expectations and hold the team accountable for key operational metrics.
• Ensure sanitation, food safety, GMP, 5S, and regulatory requirements are consistently followed.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering to monitor equipment condition, address repairs, and support reliable bakery operations.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and support employee training, performance management, recognition, and development.
• Identify and lead cost-saving and process-improvement opportunities.
• Monitor inventory levels and help prevent excessive usage, waste, and obsolescence.
• Conduct regular work-area reviews to reinforce safe work practices and proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Investigate workplace accidents and injuries and ensure required reporting is completed.
• Collaborate across operations to solve problems and keep production moving.

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of bakery manufacturing management experience required.
• Strong functional knowledge of bakery ingredients and bakery manufacturing processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced operation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to quality and accuracy.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Basic understanding of ERP systems.
• AIB training is a plus.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Skills

• Lead from the floor and enjoy being actively involved in the operation.
• Know how to balance people leadership with production demands.
• Hold yourself and others accountable while treating employees with respect.
• Stay composed and solutions-focused when priorities change or challenges arise.
• Enjoy coaching employees and helping leaders develop their skills.
• Look for opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and make the operation better.
• Communicate effectively across shifts, departments, and levels of the organization.

Benefits

• 20 free pizzas per month
• Opportunity for training and career advancement
• Paid Time Off and Floating Holiday of your choice
• 401(k) & Roth with company match and immediate vesting
• Fantastic benefit offering starting on the 1st of the month after hire

Schedule

This is a salaried, exempt leadership position supporting a three-shift bakery operation. Your schedule will primarily align with business and operational needs, with flexibility required to provide leadership and visibility across shifts.