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: DISTRICT MANAGER (WEST COAST)
District Managers oversee several retail bakeries, possibly in multiple regions. District Managers provide on-the-ground support to their team of General Managers and ensure retail, baking production, and operations needs are met. The District Manager role is a key member in the pipeline for future leadership positions as Levain continues to grow nationally.
The ideal candidate has previous multi-unit oversight with strong problem-solving instincts, decision making and leadership skills, and the ability to manage a clear growth path for operations. The most successful District Managers at Levain are highly engaged, hands-on leaders who balance strategic thinking with in-the-bakery connections.
What we’re looking for:
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, communicate, train, and work independently.
- Adaptability and flexibility; you recognize that in the food industry, anything can and will happen and you’re able to calmly troubleshoot issues.
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- People-forward attitude with collaborative spirit and exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Must have strong financial acumen with proven track record of managing a large portfolio.
- Embody and promote the values and standards of Levain Bakery.
Job Responsibilities:
People & Development
- Develop a cohesive team of General Managers and staff in the bakeries to meet and exceed bakery expectations.
- Inspire the team to work together towards achieving the common goals of
the business and bring our core values to life in the bakeries every day. - Ensure DEI principles are upheld in bakery operations and leadership practices, where General Managers foster a culture of inclusion in their store.
- Facilitate appropriate daily coaching and one-on-ones with General Managers to solicit feedback regarding all aspects of the operation and be able to communicate that feedback to the executive team in real time.
- Continually assess the status of current management teams, developing action plans to address any issues.
- Seek growth opportunities for team members to promote internal growth and work with our people to motivate, develop, and succession plan.
Recruiting & Hiring
- Monitor and ensure that appropriate staffing levels are established and maintained and remain aware of any changes which may impact staffing needs.
- Partner with People Team to support recruitment and hiring high-quality hourly staff members for NBOs through job fairs, employment partnerships, etc.
- Partner with the Training Team to ensure that each new employee receives appropriate training.
Customer Service
- Constantly view the bakery from the customer’s perspective and encourage each bakery to build strong ties with its local neighborhood through community events, partnerships, and donation initiatives.
- Ensure the management team and team members are continually focused on giving top-tier service to customers in our bakeries.
- Ensure all online review platforms (Yelp, TripAdvisor etc.) ratings remain best in class.
Quality of Operations
- Ensure that each store in its region is operating at or above standards.
- Instill in each store’s management team an expectation to maintain high standards in all areas of safety, cleanliness, hospitality, execution, food and coffee production and sanitation.
- Ensure that a safe and clean environment is the norm, and all products and equipment are handled properly.
- Lead and support NBOs in your region from site readiness to staff ramp-up, ensuring operational excellence from day one.
Sales and Profit
- Demonstrate strong and tactical performance in managing the financial health of the bakeries and ensure that each store meets and exceeds budgeted financial goals.
- Monitor and maintain all cost control centers: Analyze monthly Profit and Loss statements and use them to develop, implement and follow through on accurate plans.
- Work with the General Managers to develop each store’s annual budget: Ensure keen oversight of all aspects of purchasing, storage and inventory within each store.
- Monitor trends in all areas from sales, costs, cover counts, etc. and proactively report on such trends and variances to further develop cost savings programs.
- Work with all key stakeholders, develop and manage a set of relevant KPIs (SSS, Gross Profit, Yelp scores, etc.) that help manage and drive growth of the business.
- Work with the management teams in each region to increase guest counts, daily sales, operational profitability and help cultivate a loyal local customer base.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3-5 years multi-unit F&B management experience
- Open availability: ability to work mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to travel frequently, travel up to 3 days per week
- Ability to lift/push 25-50 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 DOH Certification
Compensation & Benefits
- $120k-$150k + 20% 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
- Three Weeks 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.
