Baking School Instructor, Alexandria VA

Job Description

Job Description

Meet Us: King Arthur Baking Company has been sharing the joy of baking since 1790. Headquartered in Norwich, Vermont, we’re the ultimate baking resource – providing education, inspiration, and the highest quality products, all while fostering connections and community through baking. Our superior flours and mixes are available in supermarkets nationwide, and our direct-to-consumer business – website and retail stores – offers an even wider selection of specialty baking ingredients, mixes, gluten-free products, baking tools, and more. We bring baking education to millions of bakers through our cookbooks, podcast, recipe app, website, and baking school. We’re proud to be 100% employee-owned, which means everyone who works here has a real voice and a shared stake in what we do. This creates a strong sense of community built on trust, teamwork, and love of baking. As a benefit corporation, we’re committed to the best interests of all our stakeholders - employees, our local communities, our broader community of bakers, and our planet. Join us and help spread the joy of baking. King Arthur – where, as an employee-owner, your passion and ideas can truly make a difference.

The Position: The Baking School Instructor is responsible for teaching the King Arthur baking school curriculum and leading an excellent classroom experience. The instructor sets the tone and pace of instruction and ensures a high-quality, interactive educational experience. The instructor serves as an ambassador of the brand, a resource for students, and an open source of knowledge and encouragement as they execute ambitious and wide-ranging baking curricula. In addition, the instructor will regularly support the customer experience through scheduled retail support shifts that are secondary to primary instructional responsibilities shifts in the retail store where they engage customers by answering baking and product questions and leading in-store demonstrations

The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(k) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.

The Location: Alexandria, VA; onsite daily.

The Schedule: This is a full-time role, between 32-40 hours per week. Weekend availability is required. This is a net-new position with an anticipated start date of 9/23.

The Pay: $ $22.29 to $27.59 per hour worked; commensurate with experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create an exceptional learning environment by ensuring the classroom is safe, well-stocked, and well-maintained in accordance with food safety standards and the school’s code of conduct. Deliver high-quality instruction with attention to detail, fostering an engaging, energetic, and enjoyable atmosphere. Ensure a positive student experience by maintaining an approachable demeanor, demonstrating confidence, and inspiring enthusiasm for baking.
• Demonstrates ongoing professional growth to enhance capacity for effectively guiding and supporting students
• Demonstrate expertise in fundamental baking techniques, including scientific principles, professional methodologies, and cultural context. Leverage this knowledge in an engaging and interactive manner to deliver an enriching and dynamic classroom experience.
• Thoroughly review curriculum and prepare for each class by developing a clear understanding of course objectives, class structure, and the specific baking techniques to be taught.
• Communicate lesson plans and expectations with the classroom assistant to promote seamless coordination and effective teamwork.
• Culminate lesson with assessment of baked goods including appearance, flavor, and texture.
• Teach to a variety of student skills and knowledge levels. Adjust approach when necessary to meet student needs.
• Support the retail store through regularly scheduled baking expertise shifts, serving as an on-the-floor resource for customers by answering baking and product questions and delivering engaging in-store baking demonstrations. These shifts are secondary to primary instructional responsibilities.

Job Requirements

• 4-10 years combined baking/classroom experience.
• Culinary or baking degree or professional certification preferred
• We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Competencies

• Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is essential for effective classroom management, coordinating with co-workers, and interacting with customers. Ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and tact. Strong communication skills facilitate positive experiences for both customers and team.
• Time Management and Attention to Detail: Skill in organizing and maintaining a schedule, ensuring consistency and high standards. Proficiency in managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a busy classroom environment.
• Problem-solving and Decision-making Abilities: Quick thinking and resourcefulness are valuable traits for addressing unexpected challenges, such as last-minute changes, equipment malfunctions, or supply shortages. Comfort with making effective decisions under pressure.
• Customer Service: Uphold a customer-centric approach to ensure outstanding experience, respond to customer feedback, and resolve issues. Implement strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Maintain strong professional relationships.

Success Factors

• Genuine enthusiasm for King Arthur’s mission and products and a commitment to living our values
• Results driven: Holds self and team accountable to meeting and exceeding goals. Approaches their work with curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset.
• Is community minded gets involved, volunteers

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical requirements

• Must be able to work for long periods of time while standing
• Must be physically able to stoop, move quickly, and lift weights up to 50 lbs
• Used hands to handle, control, feel objects, tools and controls
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to operate commercial kitchen equipment
• Repeat the same movements
• Ability to regularly work in a kitchen environment where allergens may be present
• Ability to regularly touch and taste food products which may contain allergens

Work environment

• Ability to work in a fast-paced classroom environment where temperatures can vary,Will work around knives and equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud dependent on specific work site and/or equipment operation as well as customer traffic in adjacent area.

Safety

• Understand that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization
• Responsible for providing a safe and ergonomically sound work environment, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting these conditions immediately
• Engage in safety and compliance training programs and encourage 100% team participation in same

Uniform

• Chef coat, chef pants, hat and tee shirt (provided)
• Closed Toe Footwear (stipend provided)

Supervision

• N/A

Travel

• N/A

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive and safe work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. As a proud Benefit Corporation, King Arthur Baking expects our employees to adhere to company-wide green norms and remain educated on company impact campaigns.

There's room at our table for you! Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.

*Amounts vary based on achievement of financial targets. Participation based on hire date and program entry date.