Baker Team Leader - West Loop

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Location 840 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States

Base Pay $22.00 - $25.25 / Hour

Other Compensation 10% bonus potential

Description

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 pot