General Manager - Bakery & Commissary

General Manager – Bakery & Commissary | United Dairy Farmers ABOUT THE COMPANY

United Dairy Farmers is a family owned and founded company committed to making quality ice cream and baked goods. They operate more than 170 convenience stores in the greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana areas. Since its inception in 1940, they have expanded to become a regional fuel distributor, ice cream co‑manufacturer, bakery, real estate, and logistics company.

This role offers a high‑impact leadership opportunity to oversee the full P&L and operations of UDF's Bakery and Commissary divisions, driving product innovation, operational excellence, and financial performance for a well‑known and deeply trusted regional brand. The successful candidate will shape everything from product development and food manufacturing to logistics, quality, and team development, ensuring that UDF continues delivering high‑quality baked goods and convenience offerings across its 170+ stores.

With the ability to commercialize products from bench to customer, lead a talented workforce, and influence strategy at the enterprise level, this position provides a unique blend of creativity, business leadership, and operational challenge in a dynamic, growth‑oriented environment.

• Own full P&L responsibility for the Bakery and Commissary units with a focus on margin expansion and disciplined cost management.
• Develop and execute strategic financial plans that drive profitable growth and operational leverage.
• Analyze unit‑level economics, performance trends, and cost structures to guide data‑driven decisions.
• Leverage synergies across production, logistics, and product categories to maximize financial return.
• Establish clear financial KPIs and performance dashboards that enhance transparency and accountability.

• Lead bakery and commissary operations with an emphasis on efficiency, throughput, and cost performance.
• Optimize labor, inventory turns, ingredient utilization, and logistics to strengthen unit economics.
• Ensure robust SQF, GMP, and food safety programs that minimize risk and safeguard profitability.
• Guide successful commercialization of new products—from benchtop formulation through pilot testing, scale‑up, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and retail launch.
• Collaborate with quality, R&D, and operations teams to ensure new products meet required specifications at a commercially viable cost.

• Partner with Category Management on product mix, pricing strategy, and volume planning with a strong financial lens.
• Oversee product development and recipe reformulation to enhance both customer appeal and profitability.
• Drive disciplined product testing that integrates customer feedback, sensory evaluation, and financial modeling.
• Accelerate market introduction of high‑margin products that differentiate UDF in the retail marketplace.
• Strengthen innovation processes to improve speed‑to‑market and competitive agility.

• Ensure adherence to all SQF, GMP, safety, and regulatory standards, protecting both brand and P&L.
• Oversee maintenance programs that protect capital assets, reduce downtime, and minimize unplanned costs.
• Maintain audit‑ready processes and documentation to prevent financial exposure.
• Balance immediate operational needs with long‑term capital investment planning.
• Build preventive systems and controls that reduce operational and compliance risk.

• Build a capable, financially literate leadership team that understands cost levers, performance drivers, and operational priorities.
• Deliver candid, actionable performance feedback tied to measurable business outcomes.
• Foster a culture grounded in accountability, continuous improvement, and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Strengthen bench depth and succession planning for all critical operational roles.
• Recognize high performers, reinforce engagement,…