Retail Manager

Title: Retail Manager – Bendigo

Employment Type: Full Time

Salary: AUD 80,000 (Plus Superannuation)

Location: Bendigo (VIC 3550)

Reports to: Operations Manager

Direct Reports to the role: Front of House Supervisors and Team Members; including Front of House & Deco

As an internal service provider, a close working relationship with People & Culture, Production, Operations and all bakery outlets managers is required to support the delivery of the duties.

Company Overview:

Beechworth Bakery has eight locations across regional Victoria and New South Wales. As a family owned and operated business since 1974, our vision is simply to be “Australia’s Greatest Bakery”.

With a growing team of 270 employees, we have built the enviable reputation of baking beautiful cakes, pastries, pies and breads that are ‘worth the drive’. Our iconic beestings are famous in their own right and are a much in demand and talked about item by our customers.

What sets Beechworth Bakery apart is that all goods are baked on our premises – providing our customers with the traditional bakery and dining experience.

For our bakeries to work like clockwork and create the customer experience we strive for, we have built a multi-disciplinary team of skilled professionals. From qualified bakers, customer service leaders, wait staff, marketing and human resource experts, finance leads, production and operation specialists to transport and logistics, all team members at Beechworth Bakery play an important role in our success.

As a long-standing employer in regional areas, Beechworth Bakery prides itself on being an employer of choice and place where people want to work. We are committed to providing a healthy, professional and rewarding workplace, a fun and can-do culture whereby our team can deliver quality and delicious products that we have become so renowned for.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Retail Manager is a key leadership role within the Beechworth Bakery network and is responsible for the day-to-day management and performance of the store. This role oversees all aspects of bakery operations, including people leadership, staffing, stock and quality control, financial performance, customer service, continuous improvement, and workplace health, safety and wellbeing.

The Retail Manager plays a critical role in driving the overall success and profitability of the bakery by leading teams effectively, ensuring high operational standards, and delivering consistently positive customer experiences. The role requires a hands-on, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work autonomously while providing clear direction, support, and expert guidance to supervisors and team members.

In addition to operational leadership, the Retail Manager contributes to strategic planning and improvement initiatives, supporting Beechworth Bakery’s objectives of maintaining a safe, supportive, and enjoyable workplace and being an employer of choice. The Bakery Manager, together with Supervisors, is responsible for fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture where accountability, teamwork, and performance are valued.

Major Duties and Responsibilities of Position:

In fulfilling the primary focus of the position, the incumbent will typically:

Bakery Management

• Deliver operational accountability for the assigned bakery, ensuring KPIs, budgets, productivity targets, and efficiency measures set by the Operations Manager are met.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily production schedules to meet customer demand while maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, and food safety.
• In consultation with the Operations Manager, plan and manage bakery rosters to ensure sufficient staffing coverage while controlling wage costs to meet wage targets.
• Monitor production processes, identify operational issues, and implement timely corrective actions to minimise disruption.
• Implement agreed practices to reduce waste, improve productivity, and control costs in line with business expectations.

Staff Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop bakery teams by building trusted relationships, leading by example, and promoting positive employee and manager relationships.
• Recruit, induct, train, and supervise staff to ensure they are competent, capable, and supported to perform their roles effectively, in line with company processes.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance guidance, conducting formal performance reviews and probation discussions, in line with company processes.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture that encourages teamwork, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.
• In consultation with the People & Culture Manager and Operations Manager, manage performance and conduct matters in a timely and procedurally fair manner, including grievance resolution where required.

Quality Control

• Ensure all products meet Beechworth Bakery quality standards and comply with food safety, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
• Implement and monitor quality control and food safety procedures within the bakery.
• Address quality issues promptly and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence, escalating systemic issues where required.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for improvement within bakery operations and implement agreed changes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, best practice, and production techniques, and contribute ideas for operational improvement.
• Encourage team involvement in improvement initiatives and support innovation at a local bakery level.

Customer Service

• Ensure production schedules, staffing, and service delivery align with store requirements and delivery timelines.
• Address customer complaints and service issues promptly and professionally, providing appropriate assistance and information to customers regarding bakery products and services, in consultation with the Operations Manager and Customer Experience Manager where required.
• Promote the bakery's products and services through professional customer engagement and presentation, and actively contribute to maintaining a positive image of Beechworth Bakery.

Logistics & Equipment Management

• Manage local stock control, ordering, and logistics, including maintaining records of stock levels and related financial transactions, and contribute to formulating and implementing purchasing and marketing policies and setting prices, in line with operational requirements and guidance from the Operations Manager.
• Ensure bakery equipment is maintained, safe, and fit for purpose, reporting faults and coordinating repairs as required.
• Support preventative maintenance practices to minimise downtime and extend equipment life.
• Liaise with approved suppliers, contractors, and service providers as directed.

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all workplace health and safety policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.
• Promote a proactive safety culture where hazards, incidents, and near misses are identified and reported promptly.· Participate in safety training and ensure staff are trained and competent in safe work practices.
• Support staff wellbeing and contribute to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace environment.

Key Selection Criteria:

1. At least two (2) years demonstrated management experience in retail, food production or hospitality operations, with demonstrated accountability for the effective operation of a store or department, including production planning, inventory control, rostering, and supervision of staff in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

2. Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritise, and coordinate daily and weekly operational activities, manage competing demands, and consistently meet deadlines while maintaining required standards of quality, food safety, OHS, and customer service.

3. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prepare and maintain operational documentation, reports, and records, and to clearly direct, supervise, and support staff to achieve business and operational objectives.

4. Demonstrated leadership capability, including the ability to recruit, train, supervise, and performance manage staff, foster a positive team environment, and manage workplace issues in a professional and constructive manner.

5. Strong administrative and computer skills, including experience using business systems and Microsoft Office (Excel and Word) to manage rostering, reporting, and operational data, supported by sound analytical skills to monitor performance and inform decision-making.

6. Demonstrated commercial acumen, including the ability to monitor and respond to sales performance, control costs, manage stock levels, and maintain high standards of store presentation and visual merchandising in line with business objectives.

7. Proven ability to operate with a high level of autonomy and accountability, taking responsibility for operational outcomes, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and organisational policies, and contributing to continuous improvement and overall business performance.

Other relevant skills, knowledge and experience:

· AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma and on the job experience.

Role Statement:

As Beechworth Bakery evolves to meet the changing needs of our market, so will the roles required of its staff. As such, staff should be aware that this document is not intended to represent the role in its entirety and for perpetuity. The role statement is intended to provide an overall view of the incumbent’s role at the date of statement. In addition to this document, specific tasks and responsibilities will be described in Performance and Development Plans developed by the incumbent and relevant supervisor as part of Beechworth Bakery’s Performance Management process.

If this sounds like a role for you, please email your application to people@beechworthbakery.com.au

BEECHWORTH BAKERY BENDIGO
158 High Street Bendigo VIC 3550
+61 1300 233 784
www.beechworthbakery.com.au/

Pay: $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person