Head Baker

Empregara; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Employee meals and discounts

Job summary

THORSDAY is opening a Swedish-inspired bakery and coffee bar in Brooklyn. We are seeking a hands-on Head Baker to lead our bakery and kitchen program, overseeing daily bread and pastry production while managing light savories.

The role requires strong professional baking experience, leadership, and the ability to train a small team. Expect early hours, a collaborative startup culture, and opportunities to shape menu items and systems as we open.

Qualifications

• Significant professional baking experience.
• Strong knowledge of bread and pastry production.
• Experience in a professional bakery, restaurant, cafe, or production kitchen.
• Previous leadership or management experience in bakery or kitchen.
• Strong production planning and kitchen organization.
• Experience with recipe development, costing, inventory, and ordering.
• Ability to train and develop others.
• Attention to consistency and detail.
• Willingness to work hands-on in a fast-moving startup.
• Availability for early hours.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate required.
• Swedish or Scandinavian baking welcome, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production of breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
• Work hands-on in production alongside the bakery team.
• Oversee preparation of light bites, including sandwiches and salads.
• Establish production schedules and prep systems based on daily demand.
• Maintain flavor, appearance, portioning, and quality standards.
• Develop, test, document and refine recipes.
• Help develop seasonal and new menu items.
• Establish systems to maintain quality as volume grows.
• Train and support bakery and kitchen staff.
• Create staff schedules based on production and business needs.
• Establish kitchen procedures and expectations.
• Build a kitchen culture of respect and organization.
• Work with ownership during opening and ongoing operations.
• Manage ingredient ordering and inventory.
• Maintain pars and minimize waste.
• Monitor costs, yields, and recipe costs.
• Help set pricing and profitability targets.
• Maintain recipes and production records.
• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency.
• Ensure food safety and sanitation.
• Maintain clean, organized bakery and kitchen.
• Ensure proper food handling and allergen procedures.

Skills

Bread & pastry production

Leadership

Production planning

Recipe development

Training others

Attention to detail

Food safety

Fast-paced startup

Job description

Company description

THORSDAY is a Swedish-inspired bakery and coffee bar coming to Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Rooted in the Swedish tradition of gathering over good food and coffee, THORSDAY brings together freshly baked breads, pastries, thoughtfully prepared specialty coffee, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.

Inspired by fika, the Swedish custom of taking time to enjoy coffee, something delicious, and good company, THORSDAY celebrates the pleasure of everyday rituals.

The bakery will offer freshly baked breads and pastries alongside specialty coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab. Every detail reflects an appreciation for quality ingredients, skilled craftsmanship, and the simple pleasure of sharing good food.

Independently owned and designed to become part of the neighborhood, THORSDAY is a place to start your morning, meet a friend, pick up fresh bread, or take a moment for yourself.

THORSDAY. A Swedish-inspired bakery and coffee bar, made for Brooklyn.

Job description

The role

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Head Baker to lead our bakery and kitchen program.

This person will oversee and participate in the daily production of breads and pastries, while also managing a small selection of light savory food, including sandwiches and salads.

This is a working Head Baker position. You should be equally comfortable developing a production schedule, training a baker, costing a recipe, and getting behind the bench to mix, shape, proof, bake, and finish products.

Experience with Swedish or Scandinavian baking is not required. Strong professional baking experience, technical knowledge, consistency, and the ability to lead a small operation are.

Responsibilities

Bakery and food production

• Lead daily production of breads, pastries, and other baked goods
• Work hands-on in production alongside the bakery team
• Oversee preparation of light bites, including sandwiches and salads
• Establish production schedules and prep systems based on daily demand
• Maintain consistent standards for flavor, appearance, portioning, and quality
• Develop, test document, and refine recipes
• Help develop seasonal and new menu items
• Establish systems that allow the bakery to maintain quality as volume grows

Kitchen leadership

• Lead, train, and support bakery and kitchen staff
• Create staff schedules based on production and business needs
• Establish clear kitchen procedures and expectations
• Build a kitchen culture based on respect, communication, organization, and shared responsibility
• Work closely with ownership and the broader THORSDAY team during opening and ongoing operations

Operations and costs

• Manage ingredient ordering and inventory
• Maintain appropriate pars and minimize waste
• Monitor food costs, yields, portions, and recipe costs
• Help establish pricing and profitability targets for bakery and food items
• Maintain organized recipes, production records, prep lists, and ordering systems
• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency without compromising quality
• Food safety and organization
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional bakery and kitchen
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, labeling, sanitation, and allergen procedures
• Maintain compliance with NYC Department of Health requirements
• Establish cleaning, opening, closing, and food-safety procedures for the bakery and kitchen

What we’re looking for

• Significant professional baking experience is required
• Strong knowledge of bread and pastry production
• Experience working in a professional bakery, restaurant, café, or production kitchen
• Previous leadership or management experience in a bakery or kitchen
• Strong understanding of production planning and kitchen organization
• Experience with recipe development, costing, inventory, and ordering
• Ability to train and develop others
• Strong attention to consistency and detail
• Comfortable working in the fast-moving environment of a new independent business
• Willingness to work hands-on and solve problems as they arise
• Availability for the early hours and schedule required by a working bakery
• NYC Food Protection Certificate a must
• Swedish or Scandinavian baking experience is welcome, but not required.

Compensation and benefits

• $70,000 - 80,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Full-time position
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee meals and discounts

Why THORSDAY

You’ll be joining THORSDAY at the beginning.

For the right person, that means having a real voice in the bakery: helping shape the bread and pastry program, developing systems, building the kitchen team, and creating the standards that will define how we work.

We’re looking for someone who wants to take ownership of their craft and help build a neighborhood bakery and coffee bar from the ground up.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000