Baker

PAQ, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned company operating 25 retail grocery stores across the Central Valley and Central Coast of California. This company proudly manages a diverse portfolio of stores, with seventeen of them functioning under the Food 4 Less banner, characterized by a price-impact warehouse format, and eight stores operating under the Rancho San Miguel Market banner, which specializes in Hispanic products. As an established and growing grocery retailer, PAQ, Inc. places great emphasis on its employee owners, considering them as the cornerstone of their strong and prosperous future. The organization values employee engagement, growth, and shared success, providing its workforce with an enriching work environment and competitive benefits. Employment at PAQ, Inc. is regular and full-time, with the company offering an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) after one year, alongside medical, dental, and vision benefits, which can be accessed for affordable payroll deductions. Additionally, PAQ, Inc. supports career advancement, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, sick leave, and an employee assistance program to promote work-life balance and personal development.

The position of Baker at PAQ, Inc.'s Food 4 Less and Rancho San Miguel Markets is a vital role focused on producing high-quality, scratch-made Hispanic baked goods. Bakers at this company are responsible for products including breads, pastries, and specialty items, prepared according to strict recipes and production standards. The role demands not only culinary skill and precision but also a commitment to maintaining a clean and sanitary baking environment. Bakers collaborate closely with their team members to meet customer demand efficiently, contributing to the company's renowned commitment to quality and customer service.

Key responsibilities in this role include preparing doughs, batters, and fillings, accurately weighing and measuring ingredients to maintain product consistency, and operating bakery equipment such as mixers, ovens, and proofing chambers. Bakers shape, mold, and decorate a variety of bakery items, ensuring that each product is baked perfectly and up to the company’s exacting standards. Inventory management is part of the daily workflow, requiring bakers to assist in monitoring ingredient and supply levels to meet production schedules. Working at PAQ, Inc. also means adhering to strict sanitation and food safety guidelines to uphold the bakery’s hygiene standards.

The job demands physical stamina from standing and walking for extended periods during typical 8-hour shifts, manual dexterity for precise decorating and slicing, and the ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally. Bakers must adapt to varying temperatures caused by ovens and refrigeration and tolerate the high-paced, fast-changing bakery environment. The role entails working indoors in climate-controlled conditions with moderate to high noise from baking equipment and requires interaction with both customers and team members in a dynamic retail setting.

PAQ, Inc. fosters an inclusive workplace culture valuing diversity and equal opportunity. They encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and are committed to a respectful and supportive workplace. Employment is "at-will," allowing flexibility and mutual respect between the company and its employees. Overall, joining PAQ, Inc. as a baker offers a career opportunity with competitive wages, excellent benefits, ongoing training, and the chance to be part of a collaborative, employee-owned company dedicated to quality and community.