Smith Teamaker
Sara Kaufman has a diverse work history in the food and beverage industry. Sara currently holds the role of Product & Innovation Manager at Smith Teamaker, where they lead a team in developing innovative tea products. Prior to this, they served as the Procurement Manager, responsible for material purchases and tea tasting. Sara also managed the opening and operations of the Tasting Room/Retail store and contributed to marketing efforts.
Before joining Smith Teamaker, Sara worked as the Direct Sales Manager at Lemelson Vineyards, focusing on direct sales through various channels. Sara also worked at Thomas George Estates as the Events & Hospitality Manager, coordinating and promoting winery events. Additionally, they gained experience as a Harvest Intern at Chateau Lestignac in France, assisting with harvest and winemaking processes.
Sara's earlier roles include retail sales and hospitality positions at Ridge Vineyards and Fritz Underground Winery. Sara started their career as an Event Programmer at Associated Students Productions, Inc. during their time at Sonoma State University.
Sara Kaufman attended Bitney Springs High School from 2002 to 2006, where they obtained their High School Diploma. After completing high school, they enrolled at Sonoma State University from 2006 to 2010. At Sonoma State University, they earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Women's and Gender Studies.
Smith Teamaker
At Smith Teamaker, we enrich lives through exceptional tea experiences. We craft tea and other plant-based beverages steeped in quality and creativity. Elevated, but always accessible, our aim is to be the daily craving of consumers with uncompromising taste. We bring this vision to life through three strategic imperatives: Serve MorePeopleOur product collections are designed to elevate the taste standard of core beverage occasions – hot or cold, home or away – continually building our reputation for quality, creativity, and great taste. With a deep focus on consumer needs, we balance daily favorites with unrivaled innovation to reach new consumers and build frequent consumption habits. Our growth comes primarily from direct hospitality and digital experiences where guests develop deep loyalty as they immerse themselves in our brand. We leverage premium Restaurants, Offices, and Retailers to extend our access to new consumers and households, both domestically and in select international markets.Enhance ProductivityWe source the highest quality ingredients from sustainable farms, leveraging deep relationships and our growing scale to capture superior quality with limited working capital. Our vertically integrated blending, packing and logistics operations allow us to ensure quality and differentiation while delivering cost efficiency and agility. We know that exceptional experiences come from exceptional people, so we actively build the capabilities of our teamakers, all of whom share a commitment to our head, heart, and hustle culture. Protect our PlanetOur ability to enrich lives is directly linked to the sustainability of our planet. We are committed to making a positive impact in our world by providing safe, plant-based products; eliminating waste; and actively supporting the protection of clean water, sustainable farms, and the communities that nurture them.Together, these efforts enable us to create enterprise value well ahead of the category and ensure the sustainability of the business we have created.