Operations & Business Manager
Job Title: Operations & Business Manager
Location: Krema Bakery, Edinburgh
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Company Directors
Salary: Negotiable
Applications open until Monday 20th of July 2026
About Krema
Krema is an independent artisan bakery specialising in handcrafted breads, pastries and bespoke celebration cakes. As our business continues to grow across retail, wholesale and bespoke orders, we are looking for an experienced Operations & Business Manager to provide strategic leadership, improve operational performance and support the continued development of our team and business.
Role Purpose
The Operations & Business Manager is responsible for the overall operational, financial and strategic performance of Krema. This role provides leadership to the management team, ensuring the business operates efficiently, profitably and consistently while supporting future growth.
Working closely with the Directors, the successful candidate will oversee business operations, financial performance, procurement, compliance and people management, allowing the wider management team to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products.
This is primarily a non-customer-facing leadership role with responsibility for improving systems, developing people and driving continuous improvement across the business.
Reporting Structure
The Operations & Business Manager directly line manages:
Krema Manager
Kitchen Manager
The role also works closely with the Directors to support the strategic development of the business.
Key Responsibilities
Business Operations & Performance
Lead the day-to-day operational performance of the business.
Develop, review and improve operational systems, workflows and procedures.
Monitor business performance against agreed KPIs and operational objectives.
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all departments.
Support the long-term growth and scalability of the business.
Financial Management
Manage operational budgets and financial planning.
Monitor labour costs, production costs and overall business performance.
Produce regular operational and financial reports for the Directors.
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality and service standards.
Support pricing reviews and commercial decision-making.
Monitor operational performance against financial targets.
Procurement & Supplier Management
Take overall responsibility for purchasing and procurement.
Manage supplier relationships and negotiate commercial agreements.
Place orders for ingredients, packaging, equipment and operational supplies.
Develop supplier resilience and identify new supplier opportunities.
Work closely with the Krema Manager and Kitchen Manager to forecast purchasing requirements based on stock monitoring and business demand.
Leadership & People Management
Provide leadership, coaching and support to the Krema Manager and Kitchen Manager.
Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
Support recruitment, onboarding and management development.
Build a positive, accountable and high-performing workplace culture.
Ensure effective communication and collaboration across all teams.
Compliance & Governance
Ensure compliance with food safety legislation, health & safety regulations and employment legislation.
Maintain oversight of company policies, procedures and operational standards.
Support internal audits and regulatory inspections.
Ensure risk management and compliance processes are embedded throughout the business.
Strategic Development
Work alongside the Directors to support the long-term growth of Krema.
Identify opportunities for operational improvement and business development.
Contribute to new product, service and commercial initiatives.
Support strategic planning, investment decisions and future expansion.
About You
We're looking for someone who enjoys improving businesses, leading people and building efficient systems.
You'll have:
Previous experience in an operations, business or general management role.
Strong commercial and financial awareness.
Excellent leadership and people management skills.
Experience managing budgets, procurement and operational performance.
Strong organisational and project management abilities.
The confidence to make decisions and drive continuous improvement.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational oversight.
Experience within hospitality, food production, retail or another fast-paced operational environment would be highly advantageous.
What We Offer
Full-time permanent position.
Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing independent business.
Supportive and collaborative working environment.
Opportunity to shape the future growth and success of Krema.
Ongoing professional development opportunities.
Our Values
At Krema, we believe in producing exceptional products, delivering outstanding customer experiences and creating a positive working environment where our team can thrive. We value integrity, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and we're looking for someone who shares these values and is excited to help shape the future of our business.
Interested in joining us?
If you would like to be considered for the current role, please send your CV and a cover letter to: