Job Title: Kitchen Production Manager FT
Company: Piper and Leaf Tea Co. | Location: Lacey's Spring, AL
At Piper
& Leaf Tea Co., you are the Team Captain of our Tea blending and
manufacturing operations. You are the critical link between
raw, artisanal ingredients and the final product that our guests love. You
balance the delicate art of tea blending with the rigorous science of
production efficiency. Your purpose is to "Serve the Joy" by
ensuring that every batch of tea meets our uncompromising quality
standards, that our production machinery runs flawlessly, and that your
team operates in a safe and accountable environment. You
are entrusted with our most closely guarded proprietary recipes
and are responsible for executing the daily game plan to keep
our shops and fulfillment team fully stocked, aligning daily
execution with long-term company objectives.
The Kitchen Production Manager will report directly to the Production Director and support
the Piper & Leaf’s commitment to Serve the Joy.
ESSENTIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
Your mission
is to lead the production floor with an eye for detail and a drive for
execution. You will perform the following duties with precision:
MASTER THE
CRAFT OF BLENDING & QUALITY CONTROL
Proprietary
Execution: You meticulously blend tea according to company standards and
precise
ratios, maintaining confidentiality regarding proprietary
recipes and processes.
Sensory QA:
You perform regular quality control checks on raw ingredients and finished
blends, identifying inconsistencies in flavor, aroma, or
visual composition before they reach the customer.
Waste
Reduction: You actively monitor ingredient usage to
minimize waste and maximize yield without cutting corners on
quality.
COMMAND THE
EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery
Operation: You own the operation of the tea bagger/enveloper
and other essential production machinery.
Preventative
Maintenance: You are the first line of defense against downtime. You
troubleshoot minor mechanical issues, perform regular cleaning
and maintenance on the equipment, and coordinate with outside vendors
for major repairs.
CAPTAIN THE
PRODUCTION TEAM
Coaching
& Development: You train, schedule, and supervise the
production staff. You do not just give orders; you empower your team,
teaching them the "why" behind our processes. You also work
closely with the leadership team to develop and implement structured
training programs for all staff.
Culture
Building: You lead by example to balance a supportive workspace
with professional accountability. You hold the team to Piper & Leaf's
Code of Conduct and quality standards.
Shift
Huddles: You weekly check-ins to communicate the
production game plan, address bottlenecks, and celebrate team wins.
STEWARD
INVENTORY & PROCUREMENT
Stock
Management: You manage inventory levels of raw botanicals, teas,
and packaging materials. You conduct regular,
highly accurate physical audits of ingredients and finished
products.
Supply Chain
Communication: You forecast production needs
and communicate timely supply shortages to the procurement team,
providing enough lead time to prevent manufacturing delays.
Documentation:
You ensure all batch tracking, inventory reporting, and production
logs are filled out accurately and consistently.
DRIVE
OPERATIONAL STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION
Cross-Department
Alignment: You collaborate closely with the Production and Farm Director,
as well as the Fulfillment and Sales teams, to manage the overall
production schedule. You ensure daily goals align perfectly with broader
company objectives and business demands.
Insight &
Reporting: You provide regular updates, performance metrics,
and operational insights directly to leadership, keeping them informed of
floor realities.
Continuous
Improvement: You actively pursue an understanding of Piper &
Leaf operations, consistently bringing fresh ideas to leadership on how
to improve efficiency, productivity, and safety.
QUALIFICATIONS
& SUCCESS PATTERNS
We are
looking for a specific hybrid of mechanical aptitude and
leadership qualities. A successful candidate demonstrates:
Process
Obsessive: You thrive on organization and routine. You are
highly methodical and execute responsibilities independently with minimal
supervision.
Problem
Solver: You are not intimidated by machines. You possess a troubleshooting
mindset and are comfortable learning the physical mechanics of industrial
food packaging equipment.
Team Builder:
You possess interpersonal skills. You are able
to understand and give clear, accurate verbal and
written directions.
Student: You
are committed to personal and professional development. You actively
read assigned materials to gain insights into management and
production best practices, pursuing a comprehensive understanding of
Piper & Leaf's sales, culture, and vision.
Integrity: You demonstrate unquestionable
integrity, sensitivity to confidential matters, and professional
discretion. You can be trusted with sensitive company data and
proprietary recipes.
Education
& Certification:
Must possess or
be willing to immediately complete
the ServSafe Manager Certification.
Familiarity
with working in a food production, brewery, or agricultural environment is
highly preferred.
Proficiency in
computer systems and inventory management tools is required.
Requirements
PHYSICAL
DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE:
To perform this job successfully,
you must be able to withstand the physical realities of high-volume, kitchen
production environment. Requirements are non-negotiable for safety and
workflow.
Endurance
& Mobility: Required to stand and walk for long
periods (entire shifts) on hard surfaces (e.g., concrete
floors).
Heavy
Lifting: Must be able to safely relocate loads up to
60 lbs independently. This involves pushing, pulling, lifting,
or carrying heavy inventory (bulk tea sacks, large ingredient bins).
Navigating the
Space: Frequent ascending/descending of ladders, stairs, and
ramps.
Repetitive
Motion & Dexterity: Frequent rotation and use of wrists, spine,
and upper extremities. Precision work is required around
fast-moving equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye coordination.
Sensory
Requirements: Must distinguish, with high accuracy, differences in
intensity or quality of flavors and odors for quality control. Must
visually differentiate accurately between similar tools, ingredients, and
resources.
Airborne
Particulates & Allergens: Direct, daily work with and around raw
herbs, fruits, dairy products, tree nuts, and fine tea dust. You must be
able to comfortably work in an environment with high levels of
airborne botanical particulates.
Environmental
Hazards: Safely working in manufacturing environments involving hot
equipment, moving mechanical parts, industrial cleaning chemicals,
varying warehouse temperatures, and other risk factors.
AVAILABILITY
REQUIREMENTS
Schedule: Production
Schedule Weekdays. Standard 30-40 hour work week with
flexibility for morning and afternoon shifts.
Adaptability: Flexibility
to adjust to Seasonal Harvest and Order needs.
Engagement: Ability
to attend and participate in required team meetings, huddles, and training
sessions.
Benefits
Compensation: Starting
at $19.00 / hour + Benefits (based on experience and abilities).
Healthcare: Benefits
package available (a la carte options).
Partner
Perks: Access to Corporate Partnerships and merchandise.
Product
Discounts: Generous discounts on our teas and products.
Time
Off: Policies to support work-life balance.