Lead Tea Maker & Floor Captain - Kitchen Production Manager FT

Job Title: Lead Tea Maker & Floor Captain - Kitchen Production Manager FT

Company: Piper and Leaf Tea Co. | Location: Lacey's Spring, AL

At Piper & Leaf Tea Co., you are the Team Captain of our Tea blending and manufacturing operations. As the Lead Tea Maker & Floor Captain, you are the critical link between raw, artisanal ingredients and the final product that our guests love. You balance the delicate art of tea blending with the rigorous science of production efficiency. Your purpose is to "Serve the Joy" by ensuring that every batch of tea meets our uncompromising quality standards, that our production machinery runs flawlessly, and that your team operates in a safe and accountable environment. You are entrusted with our most closely guarded proprietary recipes and are responsible for executing the daily game plan to keep our shops and fulfillment team fully stocked, aligning daily execution with long-term company objectives.
The Production Manager will report directly to the Production Director and support the Piper & Leaf’s commitment to Serve the Joy.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Your mission is to lead the production floor with an eye for detail and a drive for execution. You will perform the following duties with precision:

MASTER THE CRAFT OF BLENDING & QUALITY CONTROL

• Proprietary Execution: You meticulously blend tea according to company standards and precise ratios, maintaining confidentiality regarding proprietary recipes and processes.

• Sensory QA: You perform regular quality control checks on raw ingredients and finished blends, identifying inconsistencies in flavor, aroma, or visual composition before they reach the customer.

• Waste Reduction: You actively monitor ingredient usage to minimize waste and maximize yield without cutting corners on quality.
  

COMMAND THE EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE

• Machinery Operation: You own the operation of the tea bagger/enveloper and other essential production machinery.

• Preventative Maintenance: You are the first line of defense against downtime. You troubleshoot minor mechanical issues, perform regular cleaning and maintenance on the equipment, and coordinate with outside vendors for major repairs.
  

CAPTAIN THE PRODUCTION TEAM

• Coaching & Development: You train, schedule, and supervise the production staff. You do not just give orders; you empower your team, teaching them the "why" behind our processes. You also work closely with the leadership team to develop and implement structured training programs for all staff.

• Culture Building: You lead by example to balance a supportive workspace with professional accountability. You hold the team to Piper & Leaf's Code of Conduct and quality standards.

• Shift Huddles: You weekly check-ins to communicate the production game plan, address bottlenecks, and celebrate team wins.

STEWARD INVENTORY & PROCUREMENT

• Stock Management: You manage inventory levels of raw botanicals, teas, and packaging materials. You conduct regular, highly accurate physical audits of ingredients and finished products.

• Supply Chain Communication: You forecast production needs and communicate timely supply shortages to the procurement team, providing enough lead time to prevent manufacturing delays.

• Documentation: You ensure all batch tracking, inventory reporting, and production logs are filled out accurately and consistently.
  

DRIVE OPERATIONAL STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION

• Cross-Department Alignment: You collaborate closely with the Production and Farm Director, as well as the Fulfillment and Sales teams, to manage the overall production schedule. You ensure daily goals align perfectly with broader company objectives and business demands.

• Insight & Reporting: You provide regular updates, performance metrics, and operational insights directly to leadership, keeping them informed of floor realities.

• Continuous Improvement: You actively pursue an understanding of Piper & Leaf operations, consistently bringing fresh ideas to leadership on how to improve efficiency, productivity, and safety.
  

QUALIFICATIONS & SUCCESS PATTERNS

We are looking for a specific hybrid of mechanical aptitude and leadership qualities. A successful candidate demonstrates:

• Process Obsessive: You thrive on organization and routine. You are highly methodical and execute responsibilities independently with minimal supervision.

• Problem Solver: You are not intimidated by machines. You possess a troubleshooting mindset and are comfortable learning the physical mechanics of industrial food packaging equipment.

• Team Builder: You possess interpersonal skills. You are able to understand and give clear, accurate verbal and written directions.

• Student: You are committed to personal and professional development. You actively read assigned materials to gain insights into management and production best practices, pursuing a comprehensive understanding of Piper & Leaf's sales, culture, and vision.

• Integrity: You demonstrate unquestionable integrity, sensitivity to confidential matters, and professional discretion. You can be trusted with sensitive company data and proprietary recipes.
  

Education & Certification:

• Must possess or be willing to immediately complete the ServSafe Manager Certification.

• Familiarity with working in a food production, brewery, or agricultural environment is highly preferred.

• Proficiency in computer systems and inventory management tools is required.
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
To perform this job successfully, you must be able to withstand the physical

realities of a high-volume, craft-production environment. These requirements are non-negotiable for safety and workflow.

• Endurance & Mobility: Required to stand and walk for long periods (entire shifts) on hard surfaces (e.g., concrete floors).

• Heavy Lifting: Must be able to safely relocate loads up to 60 lbs independently. This involves pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying heavy inventory (bulk tea sacks, large ingredient bins).

• Navigating the Space : Frequent ascending/ descending of ladders, stairs, and ramps.

• Repetitive Motion & Dexterity: Frequent rotation and use of wrists, spine, and upper extremities. Precision work is required around fast-moving equipment, requiring excellent hand-eye coordination.

• Sensory Requirements: Must distinguish, with high accuracy, differences in intensity or quality of flavors and odors for quality control. Must visually differentiate accurately between similar tools, ingredients, and resources.

• Airborne Particulates & Allergens: Direct, daily work with and around raw herbs, fruits, dairy products, tree nuts, and fine tea dust. You must be able to comfortably work in an environment with high levels of airborne botanical particulates.

• Environmental Hazards: Safely working in manufacturing environments involving hot equipment, moving mechanical parts, industrial cleaning chemicals, varying warehouse temperatures, and other risk factors.
  

AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Schedule: Standard 30-40 hour work week with flexibility for morning and afternoon shifts.

• Adaptability: Potential for evening, weekend, and holiday work based on peak production demands, as needed and agreed upon with leadership.

• Engagement: Ability to attend and participate in required leadership meetings and off-site training sessions.
  

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Compensation: Competitive salary/hourly rate (based on experience).

• Healthcare: Benefits package available (a la carte options