Baker- GCU Bake Shop

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is one of Arizona's leading institutions of higher learning, located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. Established as an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian university, GCU is dedicated to providing quality education that fosters personal and professional growth. The university's diverse academic programs and vibrant campus community reflect its commitment to cultivating leadership, innovation, and a spirit of service among its students and faculty. GCU is known for its emphasis on academic excellence combined with practical, real-world experiences, ensuring its graduates are equipped to thrive in their respective fields.

The Baker position at GCU is a unique opportunity to join the university's state-of-the-art culinary environment, specifically within the GCU Bake Shop and related campus eateries. As a Baker, you will be responsible for the daily production of artisan breads, laminated pastries, breakfast pastries, cookies, desserts, and specialty baked goods that meet the highest quality standards. This role goes beyond traditional baking duties by integrating an educational component—mentoring culinary arts students while demonstrating industry best practices. These practices include bread production techniques, food safety protocols, efficient bakery workflow, and equipment handling in a professional commercial kitchen setting.

The GCU Baker plays an essential role in supporting various campus outlets including coffee locations, retail operations, catering, university events, and potential future wholesale partnerships. The position demands a strong commitment to quality, consistency, and food safety, as baked products must adhere strictly to GCU’s established formulas and production manuals. The baker must maintain precise control over fermentation processes, dough temperatures, proofing, scoring, and baking specifications, ensuring each product achieves the desired texture, flavor, appearance, and presentation. This role requires meticulous planning and foresight, including scheduling production based on forecasted demand and past sales trends, managing inventory effectively, scaling recipes, and minimizing waste.

Additionally, this position involves close collaboration with culinary arts students, offering hands-on instruction in artisan baking techniques such as mixing, fermentation management, shaping, scoring, baking, cooling, packaging, and quality evaluation. The baker acts as a mentor and leader, fostering a positive and educational environment while upholding commercial production standards. Safety and sanitation are paramount; compliance with local health regulations, HACCP principles, and university food safety policies is continuously maintained.

The role requires proficiency in operating specialized bakery equipment including spiral and planetary mixers, dough sheeters, bread dividers, commercial ovens, proof boxes, refrigerators, and packaging machines. The baker is responsible for maintaining organized, clean, and inspection-ready facilities and promptly reporting any equipment maintenance needs.

As part of the administrative duties, the baker assists with inventory management, ordering ingredients, recipe development, production documentation, and supporting special events and larger campus functions. Physical demands include standing for extended periods, lifting heavy items, working in hot and humid conditions, and performing repetitive tasks that require attention to detail and stamina.

This full-time position requires availability during evenings and weekends, reflecting the demands of commercial baking schedules and campus event timing. The ideal candidate will hold an associate degree in Baking & Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, or related disciplines, or possess equivalent professional experience. A minimum of three years of artisan bread production experience is essential, along with strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to work independently. Preferred qualifications include Certified Baker credentials, experience in higher education or teaching kitchens, wholesale bakery production knowledge, and familiarity using Rational Combi Ovens.

Joining GCU as a Baker offers a rewarding career opportunity where craftsmanship meets mentorship, allowing you to contribute to an innovative culinary educational environment and support the university's larger mission to prepare future professionals in the baking and culinary industries. This role not only requires passion for artisan baking but also a strong dedication to quality, food safety, and continuous improvement within a collaborative team focused on excellence and customer satisfaction.