Bakery Associate - Baker

California Fresh Market; Pismo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

California Fresh Market in California is seeking a bakery associate to support daily operations and high-volume pastry production. You will open, prep, bake, decorate, and finish a range of bakery items while assisting customers with product information and recommendations.

Strong customer service, organization, and the ability to stand for long periods are essential. Weekend availability and a willingness to learn and grow are expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience in high volume bakery preparation or equivalent.
• Organized, consistently follows through on commitments.
• Demonstrates ability to handle multiple demands.
• Communications skills – clear directions, good listener.
• Experience serving the public.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Open the bakery and prep dough, weight ingredients, and bake breads.
• Prepare fillings, frost cakes, and decorate pastries with various toppings.
• Manage displays, rotate stock, and assist customers with product choices.
• Take and fill special orders and maintain cleanliness and safety.
• Assist with unloading trucks and restocking supplies as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Food safety

Communication

Multi-tasking

Stamina

Teamwork

Job description

Responsibilities

• Open the bakery early in the morning
• Clean kitchen equipment and tools before use
• Weigh flour and other ingredients to prepare dough
• Bake different bread types, like pretzels, baguettes and multigrain breads
• Adjust oven temperatures to ensure proper baking
• Mix various ingredients to create fillings for cakes and pies (e.g. chocolate ganache, caramel sauce and fruits)
• Decorate cakes with glazes, icings, buttercream and edible toppings, like flowers
• Shape dough to prepare different types of pastries, including croissants, cookies and sweet rolls
• Prepare custom‑made pastries based on customers’ preferences (e.g. birthday cakes)
• Recommend recipes to renew our menu and attract more customers (e.g. gluten‑free or vegan desserts)
• Track food supplies and place orders, as needed
• Provides premier customer service, including greeting customers and answering their questions
• Sells products by providing customers with information needed to make product‑related decisions
• Takes and fills special orders for customers
• Finishes products (e.g. fills or ices donuts or pastries)
• Packages, labels, and prices products for self‑service
• Maintains and fills bakery trays, display cases, and ingredient bins
• Operates the scale
• Operates the bread slicer
• Assists with unloading trucks and organizes and restocks supplies
• Assists in cleaning duties

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year experience in high volume bakery preparation or equivalent experience
• Organized, consistently follows through on commitments
• Demonstrates the ability to handle multiple demands
• Communications skills – clear directions, good listener
• Experience serving the public
• Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality
• The potential for prolonged standing, walking, squatting, and/or bending
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as department manuals and reports
• Ability to prioritize work tasks, multi‑task, and maintain focus
• Willingness to work weekends
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job
• Evening/night work may be required
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff, working a flexible schedule to include a variety of shifts -- afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Always have a positive attitude
• Understand key business standards related to food, service, and cleanliness
• Problem solving – Anticipating, analyzing, and identifying problem
• Understand key business standards related to food, service, and cleanliness
• Continuously interacting with customers and co‑workers
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job
• Ability to lift heavy boxes frequently up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
• Ability to walk and stand for long periods
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions
• Prolonged standing, walking, squatting, and/or bending
• Repetitive use - hand to finger motions, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms
• Must be able to adjust vision to both day and night lighting and be able to focus on distant and close‑range projects
• Occasionally high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and in stressful situations
• Willingness to work weekends
• Regular, predictable attendance
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include a variety of shifts -- afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Perform other tasks assigned by management.
• Assist other customers in all departments, in prompt friendly courteous manner, referring them to other staff when necessary.
• Maintain department logs, cleaning schedules, safety materials, and inventory documents.
• Must have basic knowledge of math, weights, and measures.
• Performs duties in a safe and efficient manner
• Participates in training activities to increase personal skill levels, and to improve overall department processes and customer service.
• Meets the physical requirements to perform the job functions listed above