Commissary Manager

Come join our CAFÉ TEAM in Novato!

RUSTIC BAKERY has been making and serving organic handmade baked goods since 2005. We operate five popular cafes in Marin and have a wholesale production division making flatbread crackers, cookies and crisps in Petaluma. We strive for locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality when making our products and the same goes for our people. We're looking for individuals with a love of artisan products, who want to bring their very best and be part of a fresh baked, locally sourced, fast rising company.

BENEFITS

• Competitive pay
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• $60 annual shoe allowance
• Employee discounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company matching funds

POSITION SUMMARY

This position plays a vital role in shaping the culinary identity and operational excellence of Rustic Bakery. They lead all aspects of Rustic Bakery’s Commissary operations, supporting excellence across all 5 Café locations. This role assists in developing and implementing Café menu items that reflect the Rustic Bakery brand and vision. Culinary expertise, creativity, leadership, and operational discipline are required to maintain the highest quality of food, safety, and customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Culinary Leadership

• Support innovation and creativity in menu development, ensuring menus reflect seasonality, quality, and profitability.
• Partner with the Product Innovation Director to test, refine, and roll out new menu items across all Café locations.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, taste, and presentation.

Commissary & Café Operations

• Oversee all Commissary kitchen activities, including food production, packaging, and delivery to Café locations.
• Support Café culinary operations, ensuring adherence to standardized recipes, portion sizes, and plating standards.
• Monitor and achieve financial goals related to food, labor, and supply costs.
• Manage vendor relationships, coordinate purchasing, and ensure fresh, high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
• Maintain kitchen equipment and enforce cleaning and maintenance standards.
• Provide a safe working environment through training and modeling safe work practices.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor a high-performing team of bakers, cooks, kitchen staff, and drivers at the Commissary.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth.
• Conduct regular staff meetings to communicate goals, new procedures, and menu updates.
• Provide ongoing training and coaching to develop culinary and leadership skills.
• Address performance and personnel issues in a fair and professional manner.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Ensure consistent food quality and presentation across all locations.
• Conduct regular inspections and quality checks for cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety compliance.
• Enforce all health, safety, and sanitation regulations in accordance with federal, state, and local standards.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for kitchen and bakery operations.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Manage and track inventory, minimizing waste and optimizing cost efficiency.
• Develop and maintain accurate financial and operational reports.
• Partner with Operations, Marketing, Finance, and HR to align culinary operations with company goals.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of schedules, reports, and administrative tasks.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Works well and cooperates with staff at all levels.
• Strong team building, motivational, and training abilities.
• Treats others with respect, fairness, and politeness, even in stressful situations.
• Ability to solve conflicts, maintain confidentiality, and listen with an open mind.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including holidays, and weekends.
• Communicates effectively and accurately, both verbally and in writing. Bilingual preferred (Spanish & English).
• Operational excellence including labor management, financial acumen, and cost control.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 2 years as a Kitchen or Commissary Manager in a high-volume, multi-unit restaurant or café group.
• Food Manager Certification preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Teams, Outlook, OneDrive) and POS or kitchen management systems.

RUSTIC BAKERY invites people of all backgrounds and interests to join our team. We strive for a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunities for all.