BAKERY/CAKE DECORATOR

The Kroger Co.; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The Kroger Co. in Hoffman Estates, IL is hiring a Bakery Associate to deliver outstanding customer service in a fast-paced retail bakery.

You will assist with product knowledge, sample offerings, cake decorating, and keeping the bakery area clean, safe and well-stocked, while supporting department goals. Ideal candidates have retail experience or bakery decorating experience, strong math and communication skills, and the ability to handle stressful situations.

Qualifications

• Retail experience preferred in a customer-facing role.
• Bakery or cake decorating experience is desirable.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• Basic math skills for transactions and weight/dimension checks.
• Strong communication skills with customers and team members.

Responsibilities

• Create an environment where customers feel welcome and valued by answering questions about products.
• Gain knowledge of products in the department and respond with informed suggestions.
• Offer samples and assist with bakery preparation, including wedding cakes as requested.
• Recommend bakery items to customers to meet their needs.
• Check product quality, review sell-by dates, and operate bakery equipment safely.
• Decorate cakes and other bakery items; label, stock and inventory merchandise.

Skills

Retail experience

Bakery/cake decorating

Stress handling

Basic math

Effective communication

Job description

Job Description

Create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service. Establish and maintain a safe and clean environment that encourages customers to return. Assist the department manager in reaching sales and profit goals established for the department and monitor all established quality assurance standards. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Job Description

Create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service. Establish and maintain a safe and clean environment that encourages customers to return. Assist the department manager in reaching sales and profit goals established for the department and monitor all established quality assurance standards. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Create an environment that enables customers to feel welcome, important and appreciated by answering questions regarding products sold within the department and throughout the store
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the department and be able to respond to questions and make suggestions about products
• Offer product samples to help customers discover new items or products they inquire about; prepare bakery items, including wedding cakes, per customer requests using proper bakery equipment
• Recommend bakery items to customers to ensure they get the products they want and need
• Check product quality to ensure freshness; review sell by dates and take appropriate action; use all equipment in bakery such as the refrigerators, freezers, and ovens according to company guidelines
• Decorate cakes, pastries, cupcakes, cookies and other bakery items
• Label, stock, sign, and inventory department merchandise
• Report product ordering/shipping discrepancies to the department manager
• Understand the store's layout and be able to locate products when requested by customer; stay current with present, future, seasonal and special ads
• Maintain an awareness of inventory/stocking conditions note any discrepancies in inventory
• Adhere to all local, state and federal health and civil code regulations
• Ensure that all current merchandising, customer service, labor control, expense and supply controls, loss prevention, maintenance, safety, food safety, associate and customer engagement rules are being followed
• Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions and notify store management
• Practice preventive maintenance by properly inspecting equipment and notify appropriate department or store manager of any items in need of repair
• Report all safety risk, or issues, and illegal activity, including: robbery, theft or fraud; notify management of customer or employee accidents
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• Any retail experience
• Any bakery/cake decorating experience
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Knowledge of basic math
• Effective communication skills

Desired

• Second language: speaking, reading and/or writing