Pastry Baker

New Pioneer Food Co-op; North Liberty (IA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off

Staff discounts

Retirement plan options

Job summary

New Pioneer Food Co-op is seeking a Pastry Baker to support daily pastry production and help create high-quality, fresh pastries. You will scale recipes, measure ingredients, rotate stock, and assist with display and prep for retail, deli, and catering needs.

The role emphasizes food safety, quality, and teamwork within a fast-paced production environment, with opportunities for growth and skill development in pastry.

Qualifications

• Pastry baking, bakery, or food service experience preferred.
• Willingness to learn recipe scaling, measuring, fillings, custards, and basic decorating.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, team oriented production environment.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and bake pastry items following recipes, prep lists, and production deadlines.
• Accurately scale pastry recipes and measure dry and liquid ingredients by weight and volume.
• Prepare batters, mixes, fruit fillings, and custards, and support baking of specialty cakes, pies, and pastries.
• Support basic cake decorating and lettering following New Pioneer standards.
• Properly rotate and store prepared and received items to maintain quality, freshness, and health code compliance.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of workstations, ovens, walk-ins, and storage areas.
• Complete pre-pack items with fresh and accurately labeled product.

Skills

Pastry baking

Bakery experience

Food service

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Food safety

Reliability

Ability to lift 50 lbs

Job description

Description

Starting Hourly Rate: $16.50, based on experience, interview, and skills test

Location: Production Hub – North Liberty

Reports to: Pastry Team Leader

Employment Type: Full-Time and Part Time, Non-Exempt

About New Pioneer Food Co-op

New Pioneer Food Co-op is a community owned, value driven local food marketplace rooted in cooperation, sustainability, and shared success. We exist to strengthen the local food system while creating welcoming spaces for staff, members, and partners to thrive.

About the Role

The Pastry Baker supports daily production in the Pastry while helping create the high quality, fresh pastry New Pioneer is known for.

This role participates in pastry preparation and baking, recipe scaling and measuring, rotation and storage, sanitation, and pre-pack and display support, contributing to consistent production for the co-op's retail, deli, and catering needs.

Pastry Bakers play an important role in upholding the craft, quality, and food safety standards that define New Pioneer Pastry while supporting the overall success of the production team.

Requirements

What You Will Do

• Prepare and bake pastry items following recipes, prep lists, and production deadlines
• Accurately scale pastry recipes and measure dry and liquid ingredients by weight and volume
• Prepare batters, mixes, fruit fillings, and custards, and support baking of specialty cakes, pies, and pastries
• Support basic cake decorating and lettering following New Pioneer standards
• Properly rotate and store prepared and received items to maintain quality, freshness, and health code compliance
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of workstations, ovens, walk-ins, and storage areas
• Complete pre-pack items with fresh and accurately labeled product

What Success Looks Like

• Pastry is produced consistently to recipe, quality, and presentation standards
• Production deadlines and daily prep lists are met reliably
• Workstations, ovens, and storage areas remain clean, sanitary, and organized
• Pre-packaged items are fresh, properly identified, and accurately priced
• Team members contribute positively to production culture and workflow

What You’ll Bring

• Pastry baking, bakery, or food service experience preferred
• Willingness to learn recipe scaling, measuring, fillings, custards, and basic decorating
• Ability to work in a fast paced, team oriented production environment
• Strong attention to detail and reliability
• Commitment to food safety and sanitation standards
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly, stand for extended periods, and work near ovens and in walk-ins
• Flexible availability including early mornings, weekends, and holidays

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers competitive hourly pay aligned with market benchmarks for similar cooperative production and food service roles, along with benefits that may include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, staff discounts, and retirement plan options for eligible team members.

Why Join New Pioneer

At New Pioneer, every role contributes to a shared mission of building stronger communities through food, service, and cooperation.

As a Pastry Baker, you help craft the fresh, high quality pastry our shoppers and members count on every day.