Tara Metz
The Lebermuth Company
South Bend,IN
1
Certification
12
years of professional experience
Results-driven operations leader with 10+ years of progressive management experience spanning hospitality, manufacturing, and laboratory operations. Proven ability to build high-performing teams, improve processes, maintain compliance and quality standards, and drive operational excellence in fast-paced environments. A collaborative leader recognized for strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Work History
Creative Lab Supervisor
1 Year 5 Months- Supervise daily Creative Lab operations by coordinating workflow, documentation, employee scheduling, and laboratory priorities.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of four employees through training, performance feedback, and professional development.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and product documentation to ensure traceability, organization, and consistency.
- Develop, revise, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support quality and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with Research & Development, Evaluation, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Production, and Sales teams to support product development, customer projects, product evaluations, and successful commercialization efforts.
- Ensure compliance with company quality standards through the review of product documentation, specifications, and laboratory records prior to product release.
- Perform quality assurance activities by verifying product documentation, investigating discrepancies, and supporting corrective actions to maintain product quality and consistency.
- Utilize Microsoft Dynamics CRM to manage customer information, product data, documentation, and support cross-functional communication and project tracking.
- Identify and implement process improvements that enhance laboratory efficiency, workflow, documentation accuracy, and overall product quality.
Manufacturing Compounder | Backup Team Lead
3 Years 10 Months- Produced custom fragrance and flavor formulations according to production schedules and customer specifications while maintaining strict quality standards.
- Assisted with daily production leadership by coordinating workflow and supporting operations in the absence of the Shift Lead.
- Performed inventory analysis, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliations to maintain accurate raw material inventory, utilizing BatchMetrics to investigate discrepancies, update inventory records, and support uninterrupted production.
- Conducted in-process quality control by verifying raw materials, batch weights, measurements, and finished product specifications before product release.
- Accurately documented batch records, material usage, and production data to ensure product traceability and inventory accuracy.
- Operated a variety of manufacturing equipment while maintaining OSHA and company safety standards.
- Contributed to continuous improvement initiatives through attention to quality, accuracy, efficiency, and process consistency.
Back of House Manager
5 Years 7 Months- Managed daily back-of-house operations, supervising teams of up to eight employees in a high-volume restaurant.
- Oversaw staffing, scheduling, inventory control, purchasing, food safety compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Coordinated catering events from planning through execution while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, and evaluated employees to build a high-performing team and maintain service excellence.
- Collaborated with ownership to improve workflow, control costs, and enhance the overall customer experience.
Line Cook
1 Year 3 Months- Prepared high-quality menu items in a fast-paced fine dining environment while maintaining consistency and food safety standards.
- Assisted with inventory management, workstation organization, and kitchen operations.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure efficient service during high-volume periods.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Culinary Arts
Skills
Operations Leadership
Process Improvement
Team Development
Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Laboratory Operations
Manufacturing Operations
Inventory Management & Control
SOP Development
Production Planning
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel
Word
Outlook)
Manufacturing Equipment Operation
Certification
- Customer Service
- Restaurant Management
Timeline
Creative Lab Supervisor
The Lebermuth Company
02.2025 - 07.2026Read More
Manufacturing Compounder | Backup Team Lead
The Lebermuth Company
04.2021 - 02.2025Read More
Back of House Manager
PEGGS Restaurant
09.2015 - 04.2021Read More
Line Cook
LaSalle Grill
05.2014 - 08.2015Read More
Ivy Tech Community College
Associate of Applied Science from Culinary Arts
Read More