Baker

Bucks Skills Hub; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local bakery seeks a skilled baker responsible for creating bread, cakes, and pastries. Candidates should have knowledge of food production and the ability to work with their hands. Typical duties include weighing ingredients, baking in industrial ovens, and maintaining cleanliness. Experience through formal education or apprenticeships is preferred, with 41 to 45 hours of work weekly. This role may require early morning shifts and protective clothing.

Qualifications

• Some GCSEs, including English and Maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship.
• Starting as a trainee or assistant in a bakery shop, supermarket, or food production plant is possible.

Responsibilities

• Weigh out quantities of ingredients.
• Mix ingredients by hand or with machinery.
• Prepare dough for baking.
• Bake products in industrial ovens.
• Make quality checks on baked items.
• Decorate and finish baked products.
• Take customer orders in a shop setting.
• Maintain cleanliness in production areas.
• Stocktake and order supplies.
• Develop new recipes and products.

Skills

Knowledge of food production methods

Ability to work well with hands

Attention to detail

Ability to work with others

Math knowledge

Ability to work under pressure

Initiative

Basic computer skills

Education

College course (Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering)

Level 2 Certificate in Bakery

Level 3 Diploma in Professional Bakery

Job description

Also known as: Industrial baker, baking operative, artisan baker, craft baker

What you'll do

Bakers make bread, cakes and pastries by hand and with machinery.

Day-to-day tasks

• weigh out quantities of ingredients
• mix ingredients by hand or with catering machinery
• prepare dough
• bake products in batches in industrial ovens
• make quality checks
• decorate and finish baked items ready for dispatch or shop display
• take customer orders if working in a shop
• keep production areas clean
• stocktake and order supplies
• develop new recipes and products

Where you could work

You could work at a store or in a factory.

Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.

Uniform

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Working hours

41 to 45 hours per week

When you could work

early mornings (on shifts)

Skills you'll need

• knowledge of food production methods
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others- draft- HP
• maths knowledgethe ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become one

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• working towards this role

College

You can do a college course, for example:Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering; Level 2 Certificate in Bakery; Level 3 Diploma in Professional Bakery

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

You could start by doing an intermediate baker apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• You may be able to start as a trainee or assistant in a bakery shop, supermarket or food production plant, and work your way up.

Career path and progression

• With experience, you could become a bakery supervisor or production manager in a factory, or move into commercial sales.
• You could also become a technical adviser or development baker for a baked goods or catering equipment company.
• Another option is to specialise, for example in patisserie, or become a craft baker and set up your own business.