Head of Bakery Operations – Iconic London Bakery (St. JOHN)

Head of Operations (Bakery)Company: St. JOHNLocation: Bermondsey, London (Onsite)Salary: c.£60,000 – £80,000 (dependent on experience)Apply via: Elliott Sanderson, Sanderson King (elliott@sandersonking.com)About St. JOHNSt. JOHN is an icon of the British food scene. Since opening in 1994, Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver’s vision has shaped the way the world sees modern British cooking. With its pioneering nose-to-tail ethos, Michelin-starred dining, and unmistakable stripped-back aesthetic, St. JOHN has become one of the most influential culinary voices of our time.From the original Smithfield restaurant, the group has grown to encompass St. JOHN Smithfield, St. JOHN Bread and Wine, St. JOHN Maltby, and the beloved St. JOHN Bakery, Wines, and At Home offerings. The Bakery, in particular, has become a cornerstone of the brand, supplying outstanding bread and pastries to premium partners across London, from Selfridges to leading restaurants and hospitality groups.With celebrated cookbooks, a thriving wine arm, and an unwavering commitment to craft, St. JOHN continues to shape the landscape of British food and hospitality.The OpportunityThis is a rare chance to take the helm of St. JOHN’s bakery operations, overseeing production at scale while preserving the artisanal craft at the brand’s heart. As Head of Operations (Bakery), you will lead a high-performing team, ensure uncompromising quality across wholesale and retail channels, and drive growth through operational excellence and strategic oversight.This role is onsite in Bermondsey – hands-on, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding for a leader who thrives at the intersection of craft, scale, and brand integrity.Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership & ProductionLead all aspects of bakery production, from scheduling to logistics.Ensure consistency, precision, and quality across all baked goods.Manage stock control, supply chains, and raw material procurement.Champion health, safety, and food hygiene standards (HACCP).Team Management & DevelopmentInspire, lead, and develop a team of bakers and pastry chefs.Manage training, scheduling, and performance reviews.Act as the technical authority and mentor for your team.Commercial & Strategic GrowthTake ownership of the bakery P&L, optimising efficiency and profitability.Collaborate on new product development, balancing innovation with brand DNA.Strengthen and grow wholesale relationships with premium partners.Contribute to the wider growth strategy of St. JOHN’s wholesale and retail operations.The Ideal CandidateSignificant leadership experience in a bakery or large pastry section within a premium, high-volume environment.Proven ability to scale artisanal production while maintaining exacting quality standards.Exceptional technical expertise in bread (particularly sourdough) and pastry.Commercially astute, with strong budgeting and operational planning skills.A natural leader who can motivate, mentor, and sustain excellence under pressure.Resilient, pragmatic, and solutions-focused.A genuine respect for and alignment with the St. JOHN ethos.How to ApplySanderson King has been exclusively retained by St. JOHN to lead this appointment.All third-party CVs and unsolicited introductions will be forwarded to Sanderson King for consideration. St. JOHN will not accept liability for any referral fees where an agency has not been formally instructed on this search.For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact:Elliott Sanderson - elliott@sandersonking.comAll applications will be handled with the strictest confidence