Pastry Cook/Confectionery Production Assistant

Employment Type: Year-Round; Part-Time, Seasonal Hours

Operating Hours: Mon – Fri; occasional evenings/weekends as needed

Work Hours: Approximately 16–32 hours/week; varies with seasonal needs; additional hours required during peak periods

 

Company Overview:

CRAFIAN® Artisanal Toffee is where curiosity meets craft. Established in 2022, CRAFIAN creates award-winning modern toffees that reimagine tradition through two distinct flavor journeys: elevated, nostalgic classics and bold, globally inspired creations. Handcrafted in small batches using real, premium ingredients, each toffee is thoughtfully designed to pair effortlessly with a coffee or spirit profile—creating intentional moments of connection. 

We are a proud woman- and minority-owned business serving individual customers, retail and corporate gifting partners. We are an equal opportunity employer supportive of qualified candidates from a range of backgrounds, including those with previous legal histories.

 

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Confectionery Production Associate to support multiple stages of our small-batch production. Core responsibilities include preparing and accurately scaling ingredients, breaking and portioning finished toffee, packaging, production records and day-to-day inventory stewardship. Because production needs vary, this role requires flexibility to move between responsibilities and contribute where needed.

 

The ideal candidate is precise, organized, dependable and naturally curious, with strong food-handling skills and pride in doing things well. Experience with chocolate, including machine tempering, troubleshooting, hand coating and finishing—is highly desirable, but we welcome strong candidates with the aptitude and interest to learn.

 

Key Responsibilities
Production & Packaging

• Accurately prepare, organize and scale ingredients according to recipes and production plans
• Break, weigh and portion finished toffee to product standards while minimizing waste
• Prepare packaging and accurately bag, label and package finished product
• Inspect product throughout production and packaging for quality and consistency
• Prepare customer orders accurately and efficiently for pickup or shipment
• Complete, maintain and file required ingredient, traceability and batch records

Chocolate & Product Finishing

Based on experience and demonstrated proficiency:

• Operate tempering equipment; monitor and troubleshoot temper as needed
• Hand coat and finish toffee slabs consistently and efficiently
• Apply toppings and finishing elements to product and brand standards
• Handle and store chocolate appropriately to maintain quality

Inventory & Production Readiness

• Retrieve, receive, log and properly store incoming ingredients, packaging and supplies
• Monitor inventory; proactively communicate replenishment needs, shortages and discrepancies
• Maintain accurate Inventory Needs and On Hand records
• Retrieve, count, label and stage packaging and materials for production

Food Safety & General Operations

• Follow all CRAFIAN, facility and applicable food-safety and sanitation requirements
• Clean and sanitize equipment, tools and work areas; support dishwashing and sanitation
• Complete opening/closing responsibilities; maintain clean, safe and organized work environment
• Support occasional special projects, events or markets as business needs require

 

Qualifications
Required

• Previous food handling, culinary, bakery, pastry or food-production experience
• Ability to accurately follow recipes, measurements, procedures and specifications
• Strong attention to detail, organization and commitment to quality
• Dependability and ability to work independently once trained
• Proactive communication and willingness to ask questions when clarification is needed
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining food-safety and quality standards
• Ability to stand and perform physical production work for extended periods
• Ability to safely lift/move up to 50 lbs.; handle heavier loads with equipment or assistance
• Current Food Handler certification or ability to obtain it prior to start date

Preferred

• Chocolate production experience, particularly machine tempering, hand coating or finishing
• Bakery, pastry, confectionery or commercial-kitchen production experience
• Experience with inventory tracking or production documentation
• Food Manager and City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certification
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft 365