Stone Grindz Chocolate (Operations Manager)

Stone Grindz Chocolate is a small-batch, bean-to-bar craft chocolate company based in Chandler, AZ. We make everything in-house — from roasting cacao beans to producing finished chocolate bars, truffles, caramels, and ganache-filled confections. We sell direct-to-consumer through Shopify and wholesale to retailers across the country.

We're looking for a sharp, self-driven Operations Manager to run the day-to-day production and business operations of our small team. This person will be the backbone of the operation — managing production, overseeing a Production Assistant, maintaining wholesale relationships, handling order fulfillment logistics, and stepping in to make confections when needed.

This is not a sit-at-a-desk role. You'll be making caramels and ganache one hour, answering a wholesale inquiry the next, and organizing a shipping queue after that. If you're the kind of person who thrives on variety, takes ownership of everything you touch, and doesn't need someone looking over your shoulder — keep reading.

Important note: We operate out of a home-based production facility. This is a tight-knit, small-business environment — not a corporate food plant. You should be comfortable with and energized by that kind of setting.

What you'll be responsible for

Production (hands-on)

• Make caramels, ganache, Dubai chocolate bar fillings, and other confections following established recipes (training provided if needed)
• Step in to fill chocolate bar molds and truffle molds alongside the Production Assistant during high-volume days
• Lift and pour 30–40 lb hotel pans of melted chocolate as needed
• Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe production space at all times — this includes general facility upkeep and cleanliness of the home operation

Operations & order management

• Print and process incoming Shopify orders as they come in
• Organize and oversee shipping — packaging orders, coordinating pickups, ensuring accuracy
• Maintain wholesale accounts — respond to emails, process wholesale orders, and manage ongoing retailer relationships
• Track and manage ingredient inventory — cacao beans, sugar, cacao butter, packaging materials, and all other supplies — and reorder before anything runs low

Management & planning

• Oversee and direct the Production Assistant — assign tasks, maintain pace, and hold standards
• Plan weekly production schedules — determine what needs to be made based on incoming orders, wholesale commitments, and inventory levels
• Be the person who holds down the fort — you are running this operation day-to-day and are expected to be firm, organized, and accountable
• Communicate production status, inventory needs, and any issues to the owners proactively

Schedule details

Core on-site hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Some days end earlier (around 1:00 PM) and some days may extend to 4:00 PM depending on production volume. This is a task-based operation — when the work is done, the day is done.

Outside of on-site hours, you'll manage emails, wholesale inquiries, and order monitoring on your phone as needed. This is light, ongoing admin — not a second shift. The hourly rate accounts for this expectation.

What we're looking for

• A natural leader who doesn't wait to be told what to do — you see what needs to happen and you make it happen
• Organized and detail-driven — you can juggle production, orders, inventory, and emails without dropping balls
• Comfortable being stern and holding people to a high standard — you're managing a production assistant and quality matters
• Physically capable of standing for full shifts, hands-on confection work, and lifting 30–40 lbs
• Strong written communication — you'll be the point of contact for wholesale accounts and need to represent the brand professionally
• Reliable, consistent, and trustworthy — you're being handed the keys to the operation
• Comfortable with technology — Shopify, email, basic inventory tracking, printing shipping labels

Requirements

• Must be able to lift 30–40 lbs repeatedly throughout a shift
• Must obtain a Maricopa County Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire (online, ~90 minutes, we'll cover the cost)
• Must be comfortable working in a home-based production facility
• Must have reliable transportation to Chandler, AZ 85224

Strongly preferred

• Prior experience in food production, commercial kitchens, pastry, or confection work
• Experience managing or supervising at least one other person
• Experience with order fulfillment, shipping logistics, or e-commerce operations
• Familiarity with Shopify is a plus

Nice to have (not required)

• Experience making caramels, ganache, chocolate confections, or similar (we will train the right person)
• Background in small-business or startup environments
• Wholesale account management experience

What's in it for you

• Run the show — this isn't middle management buried in a corporate hierarchy. You are the person making this operation work every day, with real ownership and autonomy.
• Learn a craft — if you don't already have confection experience, you'll be trained on caramels, ganache, and specialty chocolate fillings by the owners
• Flexible schedule — core hours are 9–3, four days a week. Days end early when production is light. No unnecessary clock-watching.
• Free and discounted chocolate — you're making it, you should enjoy it
• Small team, direct impact — everything you do directly shapes the product and the business

About the hours and pay

This is a part-time position averaging 20–28 hours per week on-site, plus light ongoing admin outside those hours. Pay is $28–$32/hr depending on experience. There are no health benefits at this time.

Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Application Question(s):

• This role operates out of a home-based facility and requires you to independently manage production, orders, and a team member with minimal oversight. Are you comfortable with this level of autonomy and this type of environment?
• Part of this role involves being firm with a production assistant — holding them to speed and quality standards. Are you comfortable giving direct, constructive feedback and holding people accountable?
• This role requires juggling hands-on confection production, wholesale account emails, Shopify order fulfillment, and inventory management — all in the same day. Describe a time you managed multiple very different responsibilities simultaneously. How did you stay organized and make sure nothing slipped?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28 - $32