Nick Lefebvre

Experience

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  Citizen Wing Food Truck & Catering

  Jan 2012 - Feb 2019

  Chef/Co-Owner
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  Northeast Alternatives

  Mar 2019 - Jun 2021

  Managing daily operations of edibles production for the 2020 BEST OF THE BEST SouthCoast winner for Best Cannabis Dispensary. Managing kitchen staff including hiring, training, coaching and scheduling shifts.Overseeing production on all cannabis infused products and ensuring products are consistent and made accurately. Developing staff roles for efficiency and creating new positions to ensure daily operations stay on track. Creating employee scorecards for these roles for semi-annual and annual reviews.Calculating and weighing cannabis distillate used in daily production. Ensuring all batches are infused with proper THC amounts per MA state guidelines. Working with retail & wholesale departments to ensure proper levels of units are available for sale. Research & development on new products and flavors. Including recipe design, infusion calculations & shelf stabilization. Inventory management & ordering of raw materials & supplies for kitchen. Establishing relationships with vendors & streamlining ordering for confectionery materials, equipment & tools.Partnering with the extraction department for specialized products such as 1:1 effects-based products using various minor cannabinoids, RSO products and nano emulsification. Ensuring all logs, journals & forms are accurately filled out and maintained for internal compliance, CCC & OSHA regulation.Writing and developing SOPs for daily operations & equipment usage.Weekly bulk edibles inventory audits, organizing Monthly compliance audits to find any discrepancies in physical vs. METRC stored locations as well as entry errors. Maintaining a clean and safe working environment in production facility. Working with the confectionery team to create recipes & processes to launch new product lines for retail & wholesale. Show less

  • Kitchen Manager

    Aug 2019 - Jun 2021

  • Cannabis Confectioner

    Mar 2019 - Aug 2019
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  Acreage Holdings

  Jul 2021 - Jan 2023

  Kitchen Plant Manager for The Botanist

  Kitchen/Packaging/ Facility Manager for The Botanist brand of edibles in Massachusetts. Launched new edibles into the Massachusetts market that are vegan, non-gmo, gluten & dairy free in 2021. Overseeing the daily operations for the kitchen manufacturing & packaging facilityEnsuring all products are created properly and compliantly, packaged, and shipped to our retail locations and wholesale partners. Creating METRC manifests for deliveries ingoing/outgoing and arranging delivery schedules. Oversee the kitchen and packaging staff and creating daily/weekly monthly production schedules.Working to create and test new products through research and development for the Botanist brand. Collaborated with and traveled to other production facilities within the organization (Maine & Ohio) to create new product lines such as chocolate bars and hard candies and ensuring product consistency in all states. Created all the SOPS for production, packaging, and all edibles related products for The Botanist in Massachusetts. Maintaining all personnel files, licensing requirements and payroll needs for staff onsite. Working with retail dispensary managers & local GM to ensure products are in good supply and needs are met for sales goals or product promotions. Working with all other off-site department heads to ensure clear communication and companywide goals are met. Other duties include: Hiring, managing & coaching employeesDefining employee roles and tasksCreating standard operating procedures for department operations & tasks Maintaining a clean and safe working environment in production facility.Inventory & ordering of necessary operational materials/supplies in the kitchen. Ensuring edibles batches of gummies/hard candies & tinctures are infused properly and consistently.Managing & overseeing the packaging of edibles.Ensuring packaging and labels are CCC complaint.Working with retail & wholesale team to distribute products throughout Massachusetts. Show less

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  Glorious Cannabis Company

  Jan 2023 - Jul 2023

  Kitchen Manager

  Worked with construction team to design production layout and efficiency, procured necessary equipment, ingredients, and packaging materials for operations.Managed the hiring, training, and daily oversight of a 20- 25 person kitchen and packaging team.Created production schedules aligned with operational goals and demand forecasts, ensured compliance with CCC regulations across all stages of production,packaging, and shipping. Focused on cost-effective ingredient sourcing through trusted vendors while maintaining product quality and collaborated with Michigan partners on product development to ensure consistency and quality of products produced in multple states. Accomplishments· Opened the first kitchen for Glorious Cannabis in Massachusetts in February2023.· Launched new edibles products into the market for Glorious cannabis & Choice labs. Show less

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  BUDS&BITES,LLC

  May 2023 - now

  Business Owner-Consultant

  Cannabis Food & Beverage Consulting: Advising on the development and implementation of food and beverage programs for cannabis consumption lounges (when legal in your state), ensuring a seamless and enjoyable customer experience.Designing specialized menus that complement cannabis offerings focusing on flavor profiles, effects, and dietary considerations. Providing guidance on sourcing local and high-quality ingredients to align with the brand’s ethos and customer expectations. Develop strategies to meet health and safety regulations, ensuring all food and beverage offerings comply with state and local guidelines. Collaborate with the operations team to optimize kitchen workflows, inventory management, and staff training to enhance operational efficiency and consistency.Offered insight into cannabis-infused products and pairing options to elevate the guest experience while educating staff on best practices. Assist with vendor relationships, cost control measures, and budgeting to maximize profitability while maintaining product quality.Edibles manufacturing consulting: Gummies formulation & production, Chocolate production, Hard candies Recipe formulations, Equipment suggestions and procurement, Layout & workflow, SOPS, Space optimization, COGS, Recipe cost control, Troubleshooting. Show less

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  Affinity Grow

  May 2023 - May 2024

  Kitchen Manager / Production Manager

  Designed and oversaw the construction of a brand-new kitchen for Affinity Grow in 2023, managing the project to completion in 2024.Managed daily operations of the production facility, including hiring, training, and supervising all staff members to maintain high operational standards.Procured and managed automated pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical production and packaging equipment for all departments, collaborating with engineers on layout design and configurations for optimized workflow.Oversaw inventory management for all Affinity Grow products, ensuring accurate tracking and fulfillment of both retail and wholesale orders, while directing the packaging department to manage packaging, labeling, and inventory, ensuring accuracy and quality.· Led the post-harvest team, overseeing trimming, drying, and curing processes for cannabis flower products to meet quality standards.Oversaw the harvest and cultivation schedules, coordinating with cultivation teams to ensure timely and efficient processing of flower products for packaging and distribution, while ensuring smooth operations between growing, harvesting, and post-harvest processes.Created and launched new confectionery products for Affinity Grow’s entry into the Connecticut market.Ensured compliance with Department of consumer protection, local health department and food manufacturing regulations according to Connecticut state guidelines.AccomplishmentsLaunched Cannabis flower products into the Connecticut market in 2023 including 1/8ths, pre-rolls and distillate products.New edibles products launched in 2024. Show less

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  Neon Marketplace

  May 2024 - Jan 2025

  Food And Beverage Operations Manager

  Managed nine quick-service restaurants within Neon Marketplace locations, collaborating on seasonal restaurants, concessions, and bar operations under the company hotel umbrella.Led staff recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervision to ensure operational efficiency and high service standards, while training staff across all locations on cooking techniques.Scaled back menu offerings to a manageable size, reducing excess ingredients and achieving a 10-15% food cost reduction, while controlling costs through recipe costing, portion control, and cross-utilization of ingredients to maximize profitability and reduce waste.Collaborated with the sales and marketing team to design and implement promotional strategies, events, and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers.Proficient with managing various 3PL’s, POS and inventory control systems. trained QSR managers on inventory management including vendor ordering, stock level maintenance, ensuring adequate par levels and cost control measures.Regional Retail District Manager DutiesOversaw daily operations of three convenience/QSR locations, ensuring smooth business functions, duties included P&L, weekly schedule approval, vendor ordering approval, bank deposits, gas sales, merchandising, lottery, and food sales.Monitored and analyzed performance metrics, including sales, labor costs, and market trends, to identify improvement opportunities and support data-driven decision-making to drive revenue. Held weekly meetings with store managers to ensure goals were met. Show less