Lead Baker & Production Manager

About Heathcote Bakery Heathcote Bakery is a growing wholesale and direct-to-consumer bakery producing high-quality baked goods with a focus on craftsmanship, consistency, and thoughtful sourcing. We operate out of a manufacturing kitchen in Jersey City, NJ, and work on a demand-driven production model. Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Lead Baker to oversee all aspects of production, from ingredient procurement through order fulfillment. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in a small, growing operation and enjoys balancing baking excellence with operational planning. The Lead Baker will be responsible for managing daily production based on demand, maintaining quality and consistency, and building systems for inventory, ordering, and fulfillment as the business continues to scale. Key Responsibilities Production & Baking Lead all baking and production activities in the manufacturing kitchen Execute recipes with consistency and high quality across all product lines Adjust production schedules based on weekly and seasonal demand Ensure all products meet Heathcote Bakery's quality, food safety, and brand standards Lead recipe development and R&D efforts, including testing new products, refining existing recipes, and preparing items for seasonal or limited releases Planning & Inventory Management Forecast production needs based on orders, sales trends, and upcoming demand Procure ingredients and supplies, managing vendor relationships and ordering schedules Build and maintain inventory planning systems to minimize waste and ensure availability Track ingredient usage and support cost control efforts Order Fulfillment & Operations Oversee order preparation, packaging, and fulfillment for wholesale and direct orders Coordinate production timing to ensure on-time delivery and pickup Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant kitchen environment Ensure compliance with local health and safety regulations Leadership & Process Improvement Serve as the lead baker and point person for production operations Help document recipes, processes, and production workflows Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency Support training of additional baking or production staff as needed Qualifications 5+ years of professional baking experience, preferably in a production or wholesale environment Prior experience as a Lead Baker or Production Manager strongly preferred Strong understanding of production planning, inventory management, and demand-based baking Ability to work independently and take ownership of end-to-end operations Excellent organizational and time-management skills Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving small business environment Food safety certification (or willingness to obtain) What We're Looking For A baker who is both craft-focused and operationally minded Someone who enjoys building systems, not just executing recipes A reliable leader who can flex hours and production based on demand A collaborative partner invested in the growth of

Heathcote Bakery Pay:

From $65,000.00 per year Shift availability: Day Shift (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Jersey City, NJ 07310 (Required)

Work Location:

In person