173 - AJ's Fine Foods Pastry Chef - Pima & Union Hills

Mesa, AZ, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Day Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Training and development programs

Retirement Plan

Paid holidays

flexible scheduling

Job Description

AJ's Boulangeries is a distinguished bakery and prepared foods provider known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company takes pride in delivering exceptional baked goods that blend creativity with traditional baking techniques. With a focus on creating exclusive pastries and expanding culinary offerings, AJ's Boulangeries continuously innovates its menu to keep pace with the latest trends and customer preferences. The team at AJ's operates with a strong commitment to safety, sanitation, and excellence in customer service, ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable experience for every guest. The organization values teamwork, creativity, and high standards in all aspects of operation, fostering a positive and dynamic work environment. AJ's is dedicated to supporting its employees with a culture that encourages growth, learning, and achievement of both personal and professional goals. Employment in this role is vital to maintaining the company’s reputation as a top-tier bakery and prepared foods destination in the region.

The Pastry Chef role at AJ's Boulangeries is a key position responsible for assisting in the operation of prepared foods while collaborating closely with the Executive Chef. This role requires a balance of creativity, operational management, and customer service skills to ensure the production of high-quality pastries and baked goods. The Pastry Chef is tasked with duties that span order management, inventory control, menu development, and compliance with health and safety regulations. As a leader and trainer within the department, the Pastry Chef serves as a role model to provide superior customer service and uphold company standards.

This position involves actively supporting store rules and company policies to maintain smooth and efficient operations. The Pastry Chef is integral to planning and experimenting with new menu ideas, recipes, and trends to continually enhance the bakery's offerings. They also work closely with catering and executive kitchen teams to develop menus that are both profitable and aligned with AJ's quality standards. Cleanliness, communication, and safety are emphasized as critical components of the role, requiring the Pastry Chef to maintain high standards throughout the cooking and food preparation areas.

Additionally, the Pastry Chef must demonstrate proficiency in basic business math, product knowledge, and the use of necessary equipment to perform duties efficiently. Physical stamina and dexterity are important, as the job often requires standing for long periods, lifting heavy items, and maneuvering supplies. Flexibility in adapting to various duties and willingness to learn new skills such as operating pallet jacks or cash registers may also be expected as needed. This role offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a skilled pastry professional to contribute creatively and operationally to a respected bakery brand. The employment type and salary specifics are in line with industry standards, reflecting the company’s commitment to fair and competitive compensation. Career growth opportunities are available as the bakery expands and evolves.

Job Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old
stand for long periods of time, bend and twist, and frequently lift and/or maneuver merchandise and supplies weighing 30-50lbs
lift 50 and maneuver up to 100 lbs while breaking down large and very heavy pallet loads of produce cases, boxes and bags
operate manual and electric pallet jacks
often work in walk-in refrigerated coolers
if called upon, night crew clerks may need to learn use of cash registers

Job Qualifications

Remain helpful, tactful and courteous with both customers and team members
work quickly and efficiently, sometimes with little direction, to accomplish assigned duties
add, subtract, divide, multiply and perform other basic business math calculations
read UPC codes, product labels, shelf signage, business forms, and posted company policies/procedures
be knowledgeable of a wide variety of general department products including grocery, frozen food, HBC, non-foods, liquor, DSD and dairy and their locations in the store
memorize product locations
be dexterous enough with hands and fingers to fill and rotate products quickly and use necessary equipment including box cutters
communicate openly and professionally through appropriate body language, facial expressions and speech, also communicating in writing when necessary
listen to and understand verbal and non-verbal communication of customers and fellow members

Job Duties

Observe and support all store rules and company policies
serve as a role model and trainer for providing superior customer service
responsible for production, ordering, merchandising, achieving goals on sales and profits, controlling inventory and out of stocks, sanitation, shrink, supplies, equipment, and safety
assist with menu planning and development including creativity and experimentation with new trends and menu ideas and recipes to create AJ's exclusive pastries and expand the offerings in our Boulangeries
ensure compliance with health department and weights and measures requirements
maintain open communication with all members of the kitchen and department manager
work with the Catering Director and Executive Chef on menu planning and facilitating the production of catering menus to ensure profitability, variety and AJ's quality standards
maintain a high degree of cleanliness throughout cooking area
perform other duties as needed or assigned by management