Cake Decorator - Full Time

Whole Foods Market; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Whole Foods Market in Charleston, SC is seeking a Bakery Decorator to create and decorate cakes, pastries, and special-order items. In this role, you will use your artistic talents and ensure outstanding service while adhering to food safety standards.

The ideal candidate will have strong cake decorating skills, a good understanding of color theory, and the ability to follow complex recipes. Customer service excellence and teamwork are vital in this position.

Qualifications

• Efficient cake and pastry decorating skills including intermediate piping techniques.
• Ability to apply proper technique when using different icings.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and decorate cakes and pastries as per standard procedures.
• Provide excellent customer service and assist in special orders.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety standards in the bakery.

Skills

Cake and pastry decorating skills

Understanding of color theory

Ability to follow recipes

Advanced knife handling

Basic math skills

Strong communication skills

Strong work ethic

Education

Retail or restaurant experience (6-12 months)

Tools

Decorating tools

Job description

Overview

As a Bakery Decorator, you'll be responsible for all duties related to creating and decorating cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order items. You'll use your artistic talents to build and finish all specialty bakery goods, ensuring that every detail is just right. You will uphold differentiators by providing outstanding service and delicious treats that meet our quality standards. You will also support our Core Values and goals, promote companywide, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure strict adherence to applicable Food Safety and compliance duties required in the department.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items.
• Build, ice, and decorate cakes and other bakery items following standard procedures to meet business demand. Complete production and spoilage records according to standard procedures, adjusting production sheets to maintain sufficient product.
• Prioritize production lists and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Merchandise and showcase products in the sales display case to satisfy and delight customers. Monitor product quality for freshness and ensure proper product rotation within the display case, following standard procedures.
• Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members.
• Create special order cake designs based on customer preferences.
• Provide excellent customer service, addressing customers' needs in a timely and effective manner, model suggestive selling techniques, answer phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Maintain, or ensure maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintain equipment in accordance with Whole Foods Market cleanliness and safety standards.
• Perform opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned, ensuring accuracy of signage and pricing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Efficient cake and pastry decorating skills, including intermediate piping techniques and the ability to create decorative flowers and borders.
• Understand color theory as it pertains to blending buttercream colors and coordinating complementing palettes.
• Ability to apply proper technique when using all icings, including Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and all varieties of Meringue.
• Ability to follow recipes, directions, and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
• Advanced knife handling, tool, and equipment safety.
• Basic math skills for recipe conversions and modifications.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver information clearly and respectfully to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.

Experience

• Minimum of 6-12 months retail or restaurant experience.
• Complete the Bakery Decorator Apprentice training program, or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience within a professional bakery or grocery retail, preferred.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8-hour workday: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• May require use of ladders.

Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. This document does not reflect all job duties or requirements for every position. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level. Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental or geographic location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position. Completion of certain milestones such as obtaining an advanced degree or certification, time in current position, or developing skills to perform at the higher-level role do not guarantee a promotion.