Training and Development Manager at Fresh Baguette

Fresh Baguette is a fast-growing, artisanal bakery known for its high-quality standards and modern atmosphere. The company was founded in Bethesda, MD in 2013, to bring fresh, made-from-scratch organic breads, pastries, sweets, and croissant items inspired by bakeries in France  to the DMV area. We have expanded to seven retail locations, a production bakery, and a thriving wholesale business. We serve coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores with fresh products every day, 365 days a year .

Our mission is to offer our customers unique moments of indulgence that are delicious to every sense. We are passionate about quality and take great pride in everything we do. This value is evident in everything we do, from the smell of scratch-made artisanal croissants and organic bread baking fresh throughout the day to the beauty of hand-crafted pastries, delicious coffee, and savory creations delivered in a warm and inviting atmosphere. 

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Training and Development Manager to lead our training at our Fresh Baguette bakery cafe locations across the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. This individual will organize training and coaching sessions, conduct performance audits, collect performance data, and ensure compliance with quality and safety standards. We expect to open new locations every year and the demands and scope of this role will continue to grow with the company. This position will have direct involvement in the strategizing and building of our young retail training department.

The Training and Development Manager is a key leadership role responsible for enhancing the performance and operational efficiency of our retail stores. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with strong analytical and communication skills, dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture. This role specifically requires experience in multi-unit training for large brands, bringing valuable insights and best practices to help contribute to the growth of Fresh Baguette across the area.

Salary: $75,000-$85,000/year

Location: 20% Offices based in Rockville and Germantown, MD, but 80% will be traveling between retail locations throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Training and Development:
2. • Organize and facilitate training and coaching sessions for Store Managers and Assistant Managers
   • Design and update training content to ensure they are current, relevant, and encourage impactful learning experiences
   • Monitor the effectiveness of training programs and make necessary adjustments to strengthen outcomes
3. Customer Experience Focus:
4. • Focus on enhancing customer service and experience through various training sessions, role-playing exercises, and competitions
   • Work with General Managers to emphasize customer service and experience as a primary focus in in-store training
5. Auditing and Compliance:
6. • Conduct regular audits on customer experience, product quality, and food safety
   • Ensure all stores adhere to established standards and procedures
   • Identify areas for improvement and work with store teams to implement corrective actions
7. Performance Monitoring:
8. • Collect and analyze store performance data, including customer experience, product quality, food safety, training effectiveness, and financial performance (revenue, prime cost, and third-party performance)
   • Prepare and present performance reports to the District Manager and Store Manager
   • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and drive continuous improvement
9. Career Growth Path Strategy Management:
10. • Oversee and manage the process and participant progress of Fresh Baguette’s career growth path strategy – Certification Cards and Level distinctions
    • Ensure all stores meet the requirements for each level and selection of participants to graduation and maintain compliance

Qualifications:

• Passion for noticing, developing, and supporting talent and potential leaders
• Positive attitude and welcoming demeanor
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities efficiently
• High emotional intelligence and excellent communication and leadership skills to train, engage, and motivate teams to become Fresh Baguette ambassadors
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions
• Ready to be hands-on and in the field collaborating with managers and the district manager
• Entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and experience to bring new ideas and effective strategies to develop and refine the training department as the company grows
• Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations
• High flexibility and adaptability to changing operational demands and a highly entrepreneurial environment.
• 3-5 years of experience managing a team in a customer service focused environment is required
• 3-5 years of experience with performance management or training in a fast paced and rapidly growing retail or food service environment is required
• 3-5 years of experience training in food and beverage industry
• Experience in multi-unit training for large brands is a plus
• Experience with POS systems and Learning Management Systems are a plus

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel between locations as needed. Reimbursement for travel expenses provided
• Must be adaptable to changing schedules and able to work irregular hours, including early mornings and during holidays
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and stand for 8 hours

Benefits:

• Competitive salary: $75,000 - $85,000
• Health insurance
• 401(k) plan and 401K Match
• Discounts on products
• Monthly Wellness Reimbursement
• Meal benefits
• Generous paid vacation
• Opportunity for Growth

Reports to: Retail Operations Manager

Application Process: Candidates interested in the position are invited to send their resumes, highlighting relevant experience and skills, to Retail@freshbaguette.com. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About Us:

Fresh Baguette is a fast-growing, artisanal bakery known for its high-quality standards and modern atmosphere. The company was founded in Bethesda, MD in 2013, to bring fresh, made-from-scratch organic breads, pastries, sweets, and croissant items inspired by bakeries in France to the DMV area. We have expanded to seven retail locations, two production bakeries, and a thriving wholesale business. We serve coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores with fresh products every day, 365 days a year.

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