Bakery Kitchen Manager

Kitchen Manager

We are a growing, mission-driven bakery specializing in scratch-made baked goods, custom cakes, decorated cookies, and specialty desserts. In addition to delivering exceptional products to our customers, we are proud to operate a vocational training program that provides meaningful skill development and employment opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Kitchen Manager to lead our bakery operations, maintain high production standards, and support our unique training environment.

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager will oversee daily bakery operations, manage production schedules, ensure product quality, and lead a team of bakers and decorators. The ideal candidate possesses extensive scratch baking experience, strong custom cake and cookie decorating skills, and a passion for mentoring and developing others in an inclusive workplace.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all day-to-day bakery and kitchen operations.
• Lead production of scratch-made breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and specialty desserts.
• Create and oversee custom cake and cookie decorating projects.
• Develop production schedules to meet retail, wholesale, and special-order demands.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality control standards.
• Manage inventory, ordering, food costs, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Train, coach, and develop bakery staff while fostering a positive team culture.
• Collaborate with leadership to support and enhance the vocational training program.
• Provide hands-on mentorship to young adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them develop workplace skills and confidence.
• Ensure a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
• Assist with process improvements, recipe consistency, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of bakery leadership or kitchen management experience.
• Extensive experience with scratch baking techniques and recipe development.
• Advanced custom cake decorating and cookie decorating skills.
• Strong knowledge of bakery production, food safety, and inventory management.
• Experience supervising and developing team members.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment.
• Passion for mentorship, inclusivity, and workforce development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with vocational training, special education, workforce development, or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Formal culinary, pastry, or baking education.
• Experience managing bakery financial performance, labor costs, and production planning.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently delivering high-quality scratch-made products.
• Maintaining efficient and organized bakery operations.
• Developing a strong, engaged bakery team.
• Creating meaningful learning opportunities for trainees.
• Supporting an inclusive culture where every team member can contribute and grow.

If you are a skilled bakery professional who is passionate about both exceptional baking and making a positive impact in the community, we would love to hear from you.