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
Bakers bring their unique skillset to the bakeries and maintain the high quality and consistency of our products, ensuring that every item meets our standards of excellence. The ideal Baker candidate has in-depth baking knowledge, strong problem-solving instincts, and a passion for baking accurate recipes and following protocol.
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:
Team Collaboration:
- Lead with curiosity and compassion by showing care for your co-workers and build meaningful connections that broaden your perspective
- Display a strong sense of teamwork: Work collaboratively with team members to ensure smooth store operations
- Facilitate open, clear, and timely communication with your team members and management
- Stay informed about new products, procedures, and promotions
Baking & Quality Control
- Bake bread, cakes, muffins, cookies, and other baked goods according to Levain Bakery’s recipes and standards
- Measure, mix, weigh, shape, and prepare various products, ensuring proper consistency and following specific techniques and guidelines
- 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
- Spot check finished products: taste, smell, feel, and assess overall visual consistency
Operations
- Consistently adhere to established protocols and maintain the highest standards of excellence to ensure all baked goods meet Levain Bakery’s quality standards
- Arrive to station on time, in uniform, and ready to work
- Ensure baking ingredients are appropriately stocked using FIFO (first in, first out) processes
- Occasionally interact with customers, answering questions about our baked goods
Requirements
- Minimum 1-2 years of baking experience
- 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/hour
- 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.
