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.

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: SENIOR BAKER TEAM LEAD (OUTER MARKETS)

Senior Baker Team Leads work closely with and report into Director of Operations to oversee bakery operations, ensuring the production of our artisan baked goods meets Levain’s high-quality standards. The Senior Baker Team Lead is responsible for training and mentoring bakers, maintaining consistency across all products, and supporting bakery leadership in operational excellence. The ideal Senior Baker Team Lead has extensive experience in bread and cake baking, a passion for teaching, and the ability to lead by example.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong leadership and team development skills; ability to coach and mentor employees
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; team-oriented with a positive attitude
• Detail-oriented with a strong ability to follow and enforce recipes and techniques
• Adaptable and flexible; able to problem-solve and troubleshoot in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for baking and the ability to train others in Levain’s processes and standards
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Commitment to Levain’s core values and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment

Job Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Supervision

• Lead by example, exhibiting ownership and accountability
• Train and mentor new and existing bakers and adjust coaching and communication style to best support individuals with diverse backgrounds and learning styles
• Support bakery leadership in fostering a respectful, goal-oriented, and team-driven culture
• Conduct regular check-ins with bakers and leadership to assess training progress and operational needs
• Work with Director of Operations and L&D team to implement and enhance baker training programs

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
• Monitor baking times and temperatures to maintain product quality and consistency
• Assist in managing daily pars and support inventory management by tracking ingredient levels and ensuring appropriate stock rotation (FIFO)
• Conduct regular product quality checks to ensure all baked goods meet Levain’s gold standards
• Identify and address quality issues, implementing corrective actions as needed

Equipment & Maintenance

• Support preventative maintenance of all baking equipment (ovens, mixers, small wares, etc.)
• Identify and escalate any equipment issues that may impact production quality
• Ensure all workstations remain organized and sanitary

Multi-Location Support & Travel

• At least 50% travel to other bakery locations and outer markets (MD, DC, IL, MA) to provide training and support required
• The ideal candidate for this role will be homebased in one of the following locations: Bethesda, DC, Chicago, Boston
• Assist with new bakery openings as needed, which may require extended stays

Requirements

• Minimum 2-3 years of professional 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)?
• Ability to travel 3-4 days per week required
• Must have DOH Certification?

Compensation & Benefits

• $65k-$70k+ 15% quarterly bonus potential
• Health, Vision, Dental Insurance
• Employer-funded Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• Additional benefits: Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Bike-Share Reimbursement
• 14 Weeks Fully Paid Parental Leave
• Three Weeks of Paid Time Off
• 401K with 3.5% Company Match

Our vision is to give rise to lifelong memories, and our mission is to bring together people who treat their work and the craft of baking and all who come to visit with great care.?