Production Lead in LOS ANGELES, California at Milk Bar

The Production Lead is a hands-on production operations role responsible for leading daily commissary production, maintaining product quality, supporting inventory accuracy, completing required production administration, and coaching team members during scheduled shifts. This role ensures assigned products, components, prep items, and production tasks are completed accurately, safely, and on time, while also owning the administrative follow-through connected to production, including checklists, labeling, waste tracking, product issue logs, inventory transactions, Transfer Orders, and end-of-month inventory. The Production Manager provides day-to-day direction and feedback to Production team members and partners closely with the Flagship General Manager on recurring performance concerns, attendance issues, behavior concerns, or situations requiring formal follow-up.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Execution, Planning & Inventory

• Lead daily commissary production by organizing priorities, assigning work, and ensuring production tasks are completed accurately, safely, and on time.
• Prepare and oversee assigned Milk Bar products and components, including but not limited to syrups, sauces, soft serve components, toppings, prep items, and other commissary production needs.
• Execute established recipes, production standards, build guides, prep sheets, portioning expectations, labeling standards, and storage procedures consistently.
• Create and execute daily production plans based on pars, inventory levels, transfer needs, staffing, deadlines, and business priorities.
• Balance hands-on production with required administrative responsibilities, even when operating with a lean team.
• Monitor product quality through regular checks of taste, texture, appearance, freshness, labeling, and shelf life.
• Complete required production administration accurately and on time, understanding that production is not complete until related documentation and system updates are also complete.
• Complete Transfer Orders, Work Orders, inventory transactions, and related NetSuite entries accurately and by deadline.
• Support daily, weekly, and end-of-month inventory processes, including counts, organization, accuracy checks, and discrepancy follow-up.
• Record waste, product issues, production variances, shortages, and inventory discrepancies using the correct tools and systems.
• Review inventory levels, pars, production needs, and on-hand quantities to identify issues before they impact fulfillment.
• Communicate shortages, delays, inventory concerns, transaction issues, product quality concerns, or production risks to the Flagship General Manager and appropriate cross-functional partners.
• Support assigned menu changes, seasonal product launches, promotions, and commissary production updates.
• Inspect ingredients, finished products, equipment, and work areas to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and workplace safety

Team Leadership & Coaching

• Lead Production team members during scheduled shifts by setting clear expectations, assigning daily work, and ensuring team members understand priorities, standards, and deadlines.
• Promote teamwork by coaching and supporting team members in daily production routines, cleanliness, organization, food safety, product quality, and follow-through.
• Provide timely, direct, and consistent feedback when team members miss expectations related to production execution, attendance, communication, organization, cleanliness, or use of tools and systems.
• Reinforce the use of all operational and training materials, including recipes, production guides, checklists, prep sheets, labels, logs, and system processes.
• Support onboarding and training for new Production team members by modeling standards, checking understanding, and providing hands-on guidance.
• Submit conversation logs or written follow-up as needed to document coaching, missed expectations, or recurring issues.
• Partner with the Flagship General Manager on recurring performance issues, attendance concerns, behavior concerns, training gaps, or situations that may require formal corrective action.
• Follow all Department of Health regulations, Milk Bar GMP standards, food safety requirements, hygiene standards, and company policies.
• Ensure Production team members follow proper food handling, storage, labeling, FIFO, cleaning, and sanitation practices.
• Maintain and enforce daily checklists, including but not limited to temperature logs, FIFO, deep cleaning tasks, equipment checks, production checklists, and opening/closing tasks.
• Fully understand and exhibit the Milk Bar ethos, embody our core values, inspire celebration, and create real magic. Serve as a brand ambassador, both internally and externally.

• 2–3 years of pastry, kitchen production, or relevant food service experience preferred.
• Certified Food Protection Manager certification preferred, or ability to obtain within the timeframe required by the company and/or applicable law.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, lean-team production environment.
• Strong attention to detail, especially related to inventory, ordering, system entries, labeling, documentation, and production records.
• Ability to balance physical production work with administrative accuracy and deadline management.
• Ability to coach team members, redirect missed expectations, and escalate recurring concerns appropriately.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to follow established recipes, production standards, checklists, and systems consistently.
• Basic computer skills, including Google Mail/Drive and inventory or ordering systems; NetSuite experience preferred.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Regular in-person attendance is an essential function and requirement of this position.