Lead Baker

Plumpton College; Brighton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

NEST Pension scheme

CPD opportunities

Free onsite parking

Supportive team environment

Job summary

One Garden Brighton is seeking an experienced Lead Baker to oversee daily production across its outlets, ensuring high standards of quality, food safety and presentation. The role includes developing seasonal menus and coordinating with an Apprentice baker and kitchen team, with support from Plumpton College's Bakery curriculum.

You will lead breads and pastries, manage production planning, costs and allergen records, and contribute to events and promotions.

Qualifications

• Qualified in Food Safety & Legislation
• Current food hygiene certificate
• Minimum 1 year’s experience in a similar baking role
• Strong baking and culinary skills across breads and pastry
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards
• Understanding of the One Garden Brighton brand and ethos
• Flexible and reliable approach to working hours and responsibilities
• In-depth knowledge of the Brighton food scene and bakery trends
• Creative approach to menu specials and product development
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Full UK driving licence

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production of breads, pastries and baked goods across outlets
• Maintain high standards of quality, presentation, food safety and hygiene
• Develop seasonal recipes, retail bakery lines and event menus
• Plan production, manage ordering, stock rotation and deliveries
• Control costs, margins, waste and allergen/menu records
• Work collaboratively with kitchen, retail and events teams
• Support training and development of apprentices and colleagues
• Deliver excellent customer service and product presentation
• Support events, functions and promotional activity including some evenings

Skills

Food safety awareness

Leadership

Baking breads and pastries

Customer service

Teamwork

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Driving licence

Education

Food Safety & Legislation qualification

Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

• Contact Email: [e-mail]

Description

One Garden Brighton is seeking a skilled, passionate and organised Lead Baker to lead bakery production across its commercial outlets, including One Market, One Kitchen and One Events.

This is a creative and exciting leadership role within a unique visitor destination, ideal for an experienced baker who values high‑quality produce, thrives on designing and developing new products, and works well within a team.

About the Role

As Lead Baker, you will hold responsibility for the daily production, quality and development of baked goods across One Garden Brighton. You will ensure consistently high standards of food quality, safety and presentation, while supporting commercial growth through seasonal menus, retail lines and event activity. The postholder will have support from an Apprentice baker, kitchen assistant and wider One Garden team, as well as opportunities to liaise with the Bakery curriculum team at Plumpton College, contributing to a collaborative and customer‑focused food offer that reflects the One Garden Brighton brand and ethos.

You will:

• Lead daily production of breads, pastries and baked goods across all outlets
• Maintain high standards of quality, presentation, food safety and hygiene
• Develop seasonal recipes, retail bakery lines and event menus using local and estate produce
• Plan production, manage ordering, stock rotation and support deliveries
• Control costs, margins, waste and maintain accurate allergen and menu records
• Work collaboratively with kitchen, retail and events teams
• Support training and development of apprentices and colleagues
• Deliver excellent customer service and product presentation
• Support events, functions and promotional activity, including occasional evening working

You will also play an important role in maintaining the reputation of One Garden Brighton as a high‑quality food and visitor destination.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and motivated baker with strong leadership skills, commercial awareness and a commitment to excellence.

• Relevant qualification in Food Safety and Legislation
• Current food hygiene certificate
• Minimum of 1 year’s experience in a similar baking role
• Strong baking and culinary skills across breads and pastry
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced production environment
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards
• Understanding of the One Garden Brighton brand and ethos
• Flexible and reliable approach to working hours and responsibilities
• In‑depth knowledge of the Brighton food scene and current bakery trends
• Creative approach to menu specials and product development
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Full UK driving licence

You will be proactive, organised and passionate about bakery, with a strong sense of ownership and pride in your work.

Working Hours

This role is 40 hours per week, worked across 5 out of 7 days and annualised to allow flexibility. Hours flex up during peak summer months and flex down in winter.

One Garden Brighton is open 08:30–18:00, seven days per week, all year round. Regular weekend, bank holiday and some evening working is required to support functions, events and College promotional activities.

Why Join Us?

At Plumpton College, we live our values—Ambitious, Professional, Enterprising, Passionate, Supportive and Progressive—in everything we do.

You’ll benefit from:

• 22 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (with TOIL applied where bank holidays are worked)
• Automatic enrolment into the NEST Pension Scheme
• Access to Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• Free onsite parking
• A supportive team environment within a unique visitor attraction

New colleagues benefit from a structured induction and ongoing support from their line manager, helping them to succeed and develop in their role.

Equality, Diversity & Safeguarding

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to eliminating unfair discrimination. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Plumpton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. This role involves regular work in an establishment mainly for children and therefore requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We reserve the right to interview or close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are encouraged.