Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and creative Head of Pastry to lead and inspire our pastry team. This pivotal role involves overseeing all aspects of pastry and baked goods production, ensuring uncompromising quality and consistency across all sites. The ideal candidate will combine exceptional technical expertise with strong leadership and a keen business sense to manage operations, develop innovative menus, and uphold the bakery's esteemed reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

Recipe Development and Innovation: Create, test, and refine new recipes for pastries, cakes, and seasonal items that align with current trends and the brand's identity.

Quality Control: Implement and enforce strict quality assurance measures, conducting regular inspections and tastings to ensure consistency in taste, texture, and appearance across all five sites.

Menu Planning: Collaborate with the Kitchen Manager to plan and evolve menu offerings, ensuring a balance of classic favourites and innovative new products.

Hands-on Production: Maintain a hands-on approach, personally performing and supervising complex tasks while serving as a role model for appropriate baking techniques and behaviours.

Operations & Kitchen Management

Production Oversight: Manage the entire production process, coordinating workflow and scheduling to meet daily demand across all locations efficiently.

Inventory & Cost Management: Oversee ingredient sourcing, stock management, and ordering from suppliers. Work with management to control costs and minimise waste while maintaining product excellence.

Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all food safety, hygiene (HACCP), and health and safety regulations, conducting regular audits and maintaining accurate records for all locations.

Equipment Maintenance: Ensure all kitchen equipment is properly used and maintained, reporting any faults and coordinating repairs to minimise downtime.

Team Leadership & Development

Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, motivate, and mentor a team of pastry chefs and junior pasty chefs across the sites, fostering a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment.

Training: Develop and implement comprehensive training programs for junior staff, enhancing their skills in baking techniques, presentation, and safety standards.

Staffing & Scheduling: Manage staffing levels and schedules to ensure optimal coverage and efficiency while adhering to labour budgets and policies.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

Experience: Proven experience in a Head Pastry Chef or senior leadership role within a high-volume bakery or similar environment, preferably with multi-site experience.

Technical Skills: Comprehensive expertise in artisan baking techniques, including laminated dough, Cakes, Tarts etc.

Management Skills: Strong organisational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to work calmly and effectively under pressure.

Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with the Kitchen manager, and all kitchen staff.

Food Safety Certification: A food hygiene certificate (e.g., CIEH Intermediate or higher) and in-depth knowledge of food safety regulations. Moo is this right?

Desirable

A formal culinary degree or certificate in baking and pastry arts.

Experience in a family-owned business environment is preferred but not essential.

Proficiency with digital scheduling and inventory software.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience.

Opportunities for career growth and professional development.

Staff discounts on products and meals on duty.

Pension scheme.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 35,000.00 per year

Experience:

Bakers & Confectioners: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person