Director of Chocolate Production

Dandelion Chocolate•San Francisco, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Dandelion Chocolate is seeking a Director of Chocolate Production to lead their public-facing flagship 16th Street chocolate factory. This role involves continuous innovation of equipment, techniques, and tasting profiles to bring the bean-to-bar chocolate story to life. The ideal candidate will have a servant-leader style, a strong commitment to chocolate flavor and quality, and the ability to foster a positive team culture. Prior manufacturing experience, preferably in craft foods like wine, tofu, craft confections, or specialty jams, is required. The role requires a long-term commitment, hands-on involvement, and the ability to manage both operational details and strategic planning, including presenting to the Board of Directors. The goal is to inspire a new standard for American bean-to-bar chocolate.

Requirements

Significant years in a leadership role with timelines and manufacturing production goals with a minimum of five or more team members.
Preference for leading more than one team simultaneously.
Preference for leaders who have had individuals who have reported to them for long tenures, such as four or more years.
Prior manufacturing experience (not necessarily in chocolate; craft foods like wine, tofu, craft confections, or specialty jams are acceptable).
Computer skillset includes Excel/spreadsheets and the entire Google Suite.
Willingness to pick up new systems.
Excellent communication skills: approachable and clear style.
Fluent spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

Spanish language skills are encouraged.

Responsibilities

Consistently meet production targets for bars, ground chocolate, nibs, whole roasted beans through effective goal setting and implementation.
Ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, prioritizing safety above all else.
Allow opportunities for team’s voices to be considered.
Jump hurdle upon hurdle to ensure the team delivers upon its deadlines and promises.
Anticipate the needs of your team and adapt to speed bumps without sacrificing long-term goals.
Implement systems to continue to improve flavor/quality each year in collaboration with Sourcing and Flavor and Quality teams.
Ensure team members have proper PPE, safety procedures, and follow protocols to work towards zero-injury goals.
Design processes to ensure the team is making products that can be stood behind, with a focus on 2-5 year goals including attracting top talent, making award-winning chocolate, and offering a world-class factory experience.
Attend weekly meetings with the exec team to discuss labor plans, production output, and capital expenditure needs.
Create and maintain a strategic daily, weekly, and monthly production plan vetted across the organization.
Develop backup plans to minimize any decrease in production.
Maintain inventory of beans, sugar, and production supplies.
Actively research new equipment and develop/document operational processes/SLAs for best-in-class operations.
Act as a strategic thought-partner to the exec team, advocating for technical, machine, process, or product advancements.
Coach, mentor, and inspire a well-rounded team through leveling and growth plans.
Celebrate team wins at all hands and in company monthly reports.
Uphold long-held cultural traditions of the chocolate making team.
Develop strong relationships with execs and managers across the organization.
Proactively schedule lunches with other teams to build relationships for negotiating tricky issues.
Represent the 16th street production point of view in meetings with other departments while balancing strategic company goals.
Perform hands-on production tasks when required.
Complete other tasks as needed.