Talent Acqusition Manager - NYC

Competitive triathletes and passionate bakers, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald left their careers to open a small bread shop in New York City in 1995 — Levain Bakery.

One day, they baked a BIG chocolate chip walnut cookie as energy for triathlon training. At Levain, a batch of these 6-ounce cookies flew off the shelves, and an icon was born. The cozy shop on West 74th Street became a neighborhood favorite and a destination for epicurious visitors from around the world, hungry for “the cookie.”

From the start, Pam, Connie, and the team baked everything fresh on-site each day, donating the day’s leftovers to charity — and we still do, 30 years later. Today, Levain has bakeries across the country (with more to come!), plus ecommerce gift boxes to treat cookie lovers in every state.

Every day, we strive to embody our company’s five core values:

• Welcome All- We are all in it together

• Work Hard and Be Kind- We pull our weight, we do our best, and take care of each other

• Lead with Heart- We operate with empathy and integrity

• Rise Up- We take initiative to make things better

• Savor It- We are present and find the fun!

THE ROLE: Talent Acquisition Manager (NY)

The Talent Acquisition Manager reports to the Senior Director of People & Culture and owns Talent Acquisition execution and strategy, partnering closely with the Senior People Partner, District Managers, and the Director of Operations to maintain hiring plans that keep pace with store growth. This role requires a proactive and tactical thinker who can set TA strategy, manage full-cycle recruiting for salaried field and management roles, and drive employer branding initiatives. The Talent Acquisition Manager also develops and administers training on recruitment and interviewing best practices for hiring managers company-wide.

This role will support hiring pushes for Levain’s planned 2027 and beyond market openings.

What We’re Looking For

• Superb organizational and communication skills; high emotional intelligence and integrity are vital

• Strong understanding of full-cycle recruitment processes and best practices

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities

• Excellent relationship management, interpersonal, and influencing skills

• Resilient, self-motivated, and able to work well under pressure

• Adaptability and flexibility — you recognize that in the food industry, anything can and will happen, and you’re able to calmly troubleshoot issues

• Passion for what you do — you enjoy the process of creating something from start to finish and are motivated to continuously hone your craft and technique

• A collaborative spirit and genuine commitment to Levain’s core values — you’re a team player and willing to lend a hand or elevate those around you

Job Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition Strategy

• Own and evolve Levain’s overall Talent Acquisition strategy, partnering with the Senior People Partner, District Managers, and the Director of Operations to forecast hiring needs across existing and new markets

• Stay up to date on labor market trends and adapt strategies to meet changing needs

• Coordinate talent planning with the Senior Director of People & Culture

• Prepare regular reports on recruitment activities, hiring progress, and market trends

Full-Cycle Recruiting

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for salaried field and management roles, including job postings, sourcing, screening, interviewing, and hiring

• Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs and develop job descriptions

• Drive continuous outreach and sourcing across job boards, social media, career fairs, and employee referrals to attract top salaried talent

• Build and maintain a strong talent pipeline for current and future salaried hiring needs

• Identify, manage, and evaluate third-party staffing and sourcing partners to build hourly candidate pools for store leaders and District Managers

Employer Brand & Candidate Experience

• Enhance awareness and promote Levain’s employer brand to attract high-quality candidates

• Develop and manage relationships with external partners, including local communities, employment partnerships, and professional organizations

• Ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process

• Provide timely feedback and communication to candidates and hiring managers

Team Leadership & Training

• Develop and train hiring managers company-wide in best practices for recruitment

• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team

• Share information and collaborate with team members on talent planning and development initiatives

Reporting & Compliance

• Track and analyze recruitment metrics to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement

• Ensure recruitment practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date recruitment records

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

• Proven experience as a Talent Acquisition Manager or similar role

• 4–6 years of talent acquisition or recruitment experience in retail, hospitality, or food companies; prior sourcing and outreach experience strongly preferred

• Prior experience with a company in growth mode strongly preferred

• Superior knowledge of employment legislation and regulations

• Experience driving recruitment initiatives such as diversity and inclusion, employment partnership outreach, employer branding, and fair and engaging interview practices

• Proficiency in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HR databases; UKG or related HRIS preferred

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills

• Competency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel

Compensation & Benefits

• $105,000–$115,000 + 15% annual bonus potential

• Health, Vision, Dental Insurance

• Employer-funded Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• Additional supplemental benefits: Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Bike-Share Reimbursement

• 14 Weeks Fully Paid Parental Leave

• Four Weeks of Paid Time Off

• 401K with 3.5% Company Match

• Opportunity for growth and career development