Bread Lead

About the Role

Neighbourly Coffee is more than just a café—it's one of 12 Neighbours' social enterprises, designed to provide meaningful employment and job training opportunities for community members overcoming barriers to employment. We are a fast-paced, inclusive, and purpose-driven café that takes pride in crafting exceptional drinks, food, and bread while fostering a welcoming, supportive environment for both our customers and our team.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Bread Lead to oversee our artisan bread program. This role is responsible for all aspects of bread production—from recipe development and daily baking for the cafe and our wholesale customers to inventory management and financial performance. The Bread Lead will guide a small team to produce consistently high-quality breads while maintaining operational efficiency, training emerging bakers, and upholding Neighbourly Coffee's values of dignity, inclusion, and hospitality.

Compensation

Salary: $40,000-$45,000/year, commensurate with experience.

This is a salaried position.

Key Responsibilities

1. Bread Program Leadership

• Lead the daily operations of the bread program, ensuring consistent product quality and efficient production.
• Oversee and support a small baking team, fostering collaboration, training, and professional growth.
• Maintain a positive, respectful, and inclusive team culture that reflects 12 Neighbours' mission and values.
• Oversee and grow our wholesale operations, ensuring strong relationships and exceptional service for all wholesale customers.

2. Financial Management & Profitability

• Take ownership of the bread program's financial performance, tracking COGS, waste, and margins.
• Adjust production plans, pricing, and purchasing to achieve profitability targets.
• Collaborate with management to plan for growth and respond to seasonal demand.

3. Menu Development & Recipe Innovation

• Develop and test new bread recipes aligned with Neighbourly Coffee's food vision.
• Create seasonal and specialty offerings using local and sustainable ingredients where possible.
• Ensure all products meet quality and consistency standards.

4. Production & Inventory Management

• Manage daily production schedules to meet café, retail, and wholesale needs.
• Perform regular inventory checks and order supplies as needed.
• Implement FIFO and waste-reduction systems to maintain freshness and control costs.

5. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness across all bread production areas.
• Conduct regular workstation and equipment checks for safety and sanitation.
• Ensure all staff are trained and compliant with health regulations and safe work practices.

6. Staff Development & Mentorship

• Train and mentor community members in baking and production skills.
• Provide regular feedback and support to team members to help them grow professionally.
• Foster a culture of kindness, accountability, and continuous learning.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum two years of professional bread baking experience, including sourdough and other artisan methods.
• Proven leadership experience in a kitchen or bakery environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage schedules, inventory, and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated success in recipe development and creative menu design.
• Experience managing budgets, pricing, and food cost analysis.
• Passion for mentoring others and contributing to a mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to teamwork, adaptability, and maintaining a positive work culture.

How to Apply

We encourage passionate and skilled individuals to apply by submitting a resumé and cover letter to The position will remain open until the right candidate is found.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $40,000.00-$45,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person