Baker Team Leader - NOHO

Competitive triathletes and passionate bakers, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald left their careers to open a small bread shop in New York City in 1995 — Levain Bakery.

One day, they baked a BIG chocolate chip walnut cookie as energy for triathlon training. At Levain, a batch of these 6-ounce cookies flew off the shelves, and an icon was born. The cozy shop on West 74th Street became a neighborhood favorite and a destination for epicurious visitors from around the world, hungry for “the cookie.” 

From the start, Pam, Connie, and the team baked everything fresh on-site each day, donating the day’s leftovers to charity — and we still do, nearly 30 years later. Today, Levain has bakeries across the country (with more to come!), plus ecommerce gift boxes to treat cookie lovers in every state. 

Our Vision: To give rise to lifelong memories 

Our Mission: To bring together people who treat their work and the craft of baking and all who come to visit with great care. 

Every day, we strive to embody our company’s five core values: 

• Welcome All- We are all in it together
• Work Hard and Be Kind- We pull our weight, we do our best, and take care of each other
• Lead with Heart- We operate with empathy and integrity
• Rise Up- We take initiative to make things better
• Savor It- We are present and find the fun! 

THE ROLE: BAKER TEAM LEADER

Baker Team Leaders collaborate with General Managers and SBTLs to oversee shifts and supervise team members. Baker Team Leaders provide on-the-ground support and maintain the high quality and consistency of our products, ensuring that every item meets our standards of excellence. The ideal Baker Team Leader candidate has in-depth baking knowledge, strong problem-solving instincts, and a knack for motivating and coaching employees. 

What We’re Looking For 

• Strong communication & interpersonal skills; team-oriented with a positive, empathy-forward attitude
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and care; be adaptable, flexible, and patient
• Must be reliable, responsible, and punctual
• Be open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement
• Ability to continuously motivate and inspire team members and set a positive example for the team
• Ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment when troubleshooting issues: be consistent, patient, and even keeled
• Detail-oriented: the highest standards for accurately following recipes
• Embody and promote the values and standards of Levain Bakery

Job Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Team Supervision

• Lead with curiosity and compassion by showing care for your co-workers and build meaningful connections that broaden your perspective
• Set the tone for each shift by maintaining a positive, can-do attitude
• Supervise team members and support them when challenges arise, while fostering a respectful, goal-oriented, and team-oriented work culture
• Act as a mentor by providing feedback and coaching to identify areas of improvement
• Continuously participate, contribute, and collaborate to improve product knowledge and refine baking skills
• Facilitate initial and ongoing training sessions for Bakers and new hires, utilizing company training materials
• Delegate station assignments as needed 

Baking & Quality Control

• Prepare bread, cakes, muffins, cookies, and other baked goods following Levain’s recipes and processes
• Ensure the proper techniques of scaling, mixing, shaping, proofing, and baking are followed and regularly check on finished products to maintain consistency
• Monitor baking times and temperatures to maintain product quality and consistency
• Manage daily pars to ensure all baked goods meet quality standards and customer demands
• Follow and comply with established procedures, including weights and measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices 

Inventory & Ordering Management 

• Oversee and adjust daily and weekly pars based on sales and waste of product
• Take note of daily inventory checks and ensure baking ingredients are appropriately stocked using FIFO (first in, first out) processes
• Follow department procedures for preparing, storing, rotating, and stocking of product
• Place orders for all baking ingredients
• Collaborate with Shift Leads and management to ensure catering / pre-orders are prepared in advance and fulfilled on time 

Requirements 

• Minimum 1-2 years of baking experience, with at least 1-2 years of supervisory experience preferred (depending on location)
• Open availability: ability to work mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to lift/push 50 pounds
• Stand/walk for an 8-hour shift (excluding a ½ hour break); some locations require walking up and down stairs
• Read and communicate in English, both verbally and in writing
• Utilize basic computer skills (Email, Microsoft Office)
• Must have valid DOH Certification & additional regional required food handlers’ certifications

Compensation & Benefits 

• $22-25.25/hour + 10% quarterly bonus potential
• Health, Vision, Dental Insurance
• Employer-funded Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• Additional supplemental benefits: Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Bike-Share Reimbursement
• 14 Weeks Fully Paid Parental Leave
• One Week of Paid Time Off 
• 401K with 3.5% Company Match

We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.