Cake Artist

Job Description:

Your role as a Cake Artist will entail creating and adorning cakes, pies, pastries, and bespoke products. Your artistic aptitude will be utilized as you construct and embellish all specialty bakery products, making sure that every element is precisely as it should be.

Our Cake Artist role is multifaceted, comprising of various functions that ensure we stand out in the market, including providing superior service and crafting delicious treats that meet our high standards and delight our customers.

To ensure the triumph of companywide, regional, and store programs and initiatives, it is necessary to prioritize the strict compliance with all relevant Food Safety and compliance obligations expected in the department, while also supporting our Core Values and objectives.

Job Responsibilities:

• Arrange, occupy, and beautify specialty bakery goods, tarts, and cakes according to instructions.
• Complete production and spoilage records according to standard protocol, modifying production sheets as required to ensure adequate product supply.
• Establish a production hierarchy and suggest modifications as appropriate.
• Exhibit the goods attractively and showcase them in the sales case to gratify and enchant potential purchasers. Scrutinize the quality of the products to confirm their freshness and observe the proper procedure for rotating the products within the display case.
• Encourage open communication between team members. Foster an environment where they feel comfortable expressing concerns or ideas.
• Design intricate cake art that showcases your skills and attention to detail while appealing to your client’s tastes.
• Our team of customer service representatives are equipped to deliver exceptional service by utilizing effective selling techniques, responding promptly and courteously to phone calls and pages, and handling customer requests with efficiency.
• Secure or make certain that the upkeep of a neat and hygienic workspace and market area is maintained; adhere to Whole Foods Market's safety and cleanliness standards when maintaining equipment.
• Carry out the assigned tasks at the beginning, middle, and end of the shift, and verify the accuracy of the signage and pricing.
• Execute supplementary duties as allotted.

Skill Requirements:

• Demonstrating exceptional aptitude in cake and pastry decoration, proficient in intermediate-level piping techniques, and possessing the creativity to fashion decorative flowers and borders that are both aesthetically-pleasing and appetizing.
• The right color palette will make your buttercream confections look professionally made, and therefore, understanding color theory is paramount.
• The ability to adequate employ all types of frosting, such as Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and several varieties of Meringue, is a crucial aptitude that pastry chefs should have.
• Possessing the aptitude to comply with recipes, directives, and procedures is essential, as well as having good time management and organizational skills.
• Latest techniques for safely using knives, tools, and equipment.
• When measuring ingredients by weight, you will need to use a kitchen scale. You should also know how to convert between ounces, pounds, and grams, depending on the recipe you are working with.
• Effective teamwork requires individuals with strong communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• The capacity to communicate information in a clear and respectful manner to co-workers, clients, and suppliers is indispensable.
• The ability to satisfy customer service expectations and adhere to the required standards when interacting with customers, vendors, and team members cannot be overstated.
• Exhibiting a committed work approach and being adept at functioning in a swift workplace while prioritizing and acting quickly.

Experience:

• The job requires a minimum of 6-12 months experience in either retail or restaurant.
• Have completed the Bakery Decorator Apprentice training program or demonstrate equivalent experience in the field.
• It is advantageous to have a background in a professional bakery or retail sector.

The position entails certain physical requirements and working conditions that must be met:

• One of the prerequisites for this position is to be able to handle items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• For most workers, an 8-hour shift requires substantial time spent standing or walking, often taking up 6-8 hours of their day.
• Hand use consists of different techniques like clenching, precise handling, applying pressure through pushing, and exerting force by pulling.
• Work necessitates the utilization of several body movements, which include bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• The use of FDA-approved cleaning chemicals in environments where human exposure is likely demands scrutiny and vigilance.
• Anything exposed to temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit is considered to be frozen.
• Competence in adapting to wet and dry conditions as required.
• The job post prescribes the availability to work a flexible schedule that can include weekends, evenings, or holidays.
• Capability in effectively using knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and various heavy machinery and equipment.
• Ladders may be essential in certain situations.

This brief document outlines the essential responsibilities of the position but is not an exhaustive list of duties. Different positions may require varying qualifications, and as you move up through different job levels, additional responsibilities may be added. Business conditions, departmental needs and geographic location can also impact job requirements. In order to be promoted, you must demonstrate successful performance in your current role, in addition to meeting the specific qualifications and experience required by the new position. Moreover, promotions are granted based on business needs, and the most qualified candidate for the position will be selected. It should be noted that while milestones such as obtaining an advanced degree or certification may help prepare an individual for a higher-level role, these achievements do not guarantee a promotion.

At Whole Foods Market, we recognize the importance of inclusivity in the workplace, and as such, we are intentional about hiring and promoting individuals who can bring new, innovative, and diverse perspectives to our teams. Our hiring policies also prioritize the consideration of candidates from underrepresented groups.