Production & Inventory Lead

Position Title:

Production & Inventory Lead Location:

Headquarters -

Encinitas, CA Reports To:

Director of Operations Employment Type:

Full-Time Position Overview The Production and Inventory Lead is responsible for overseeing purchasing, inventory management, and product distribution across Talitha/LOFTY cafés, roasting operations, commissary, and retail channels. This role plays a critical part in maintaining operational continuity by ensuring accurate inventory levels, timely ordering, efficient product movement, and proactive communication between headquarters, production teams, and café locations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of balancing logistics coordination with purchasing strategy in a fast-paced hospitality and production environment. Key Responsibilities Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Manage ordering for headquarters operations including coffee, beverages, commissary products, baking ingredients, café retail items, packaging, and operational supplies.
• Establish, maintain, and adjust inventory pars to support business demands while minimizing waste and over-ordering.
• Monitor inventory levels across roasting, commissary, cafés, and warehouse operations to prevent stockouts and maintain operational flow.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and real-time system counts within RoasterTools and related inventory systems.
• Conduct routine physical inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies promptly and accurately.
• Manage reorder points and purchasing schedules to ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers regarding order timing, product availability, pricing, and delivery schedules.
• Communicate proactively with leadership and café teams regarding product outages, shortages, substitutions, and incoming product updates. Logistics & Distribution
• Coordinate and oversee product movement between roasting facilities, commissary, cafés, and wholesale accounts.
• Schedule, track, and optimize deliveries for efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Align delivery schedules with roasting, baking, and production timelines to support café and wholesale needs.
• Support loading, unloading, staging, and transfer organization as needed.
• Ensure delivery vehicles remain clean, organized, properly maintained, and compliant with safety standards.
• Identify and resolve logistical challenges proactively to improve workflow and operational reliability. Operational Coordination
• Collaborate closely with café leadership, roasting, commissary, and production teams to forecast
• Maintain organized systems for inventory tracking, receiving, transfers, and purchasing documentation.
• Record and verify deliveries, invoices, inventory adjustments, and transfers accurately.
• Assist in improving operational systems, inventory processes, and purchasing efficiencies.
• Develop and maintain SOPs related to logistics, inventory handling, receiving, and distribution processes. Communication & Leadership Support
• Serve as a primary point of contact between cafés, production teams, wholesale partners, and vendors regarding logistics and inventory needs.
• Communicate delays, outages, substitutions, and operational updates clearly and proactively.
• Support leadership with reporting, forecasting, and inventory analysis as needed.
• Maintain professionalism and responsiveness in all internal and external communications. Compliance & Safety
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, storage, handling, and transportation standards.
• Maintain organized, clean, and safe warehouse, storage, and loading areas.
• Follow company safety procedures and report maintenance or operational concerns promptly.
• Support loss prevention and inventory accuracy through disciplined operational practices. Quali fi cations
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in logistics, purchasing, inventory management, warehouse operations, or related fields.
• Experience in hospitality, food production, café, or coffee operations preferred.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Highly detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with inventory management systems preferred (RoasterTools experience a plus).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and operational communication platforms.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across multiple departments.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining accountability and urgency.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record preferred.
• Ability to safely lift up to 75 lbs and work on feet for extended periods. What We Value We look for team members who:
• Take ownership and accountability for their work
• Communicate clearly and proactively
• Thrive in organized, fast-paced environments
• Approach challenges with solutions and adaptability
• Support operational excellence through attention to detail
• Contribute positively to team culture and collaboration Why Join Talitha Co ff ee?

At Talitha Coffee, we are committed to operational excellence, quality craftsmanship, and meaningful hospitality at every level of our business. As the Production & Inventory Lead, you will play a critical role in ensuring our cafés, roasting operations, and partners have the products and support they need to operate successfully every day. This is an opportunity to grow within a collaborative and quality-driven company while helping shape the systems and logistics that support our continued growth. Talitha Co ff ee is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Pay:

$22.00 - $29.00 per hour

Experience:

Inventory management: 2 years (Required) Order management system: 2 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person