Cake Decorator - Full Time

Parma, OH, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Part-time

Hourly

Compensation

Hourly

Range $16.50 - $30.20

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

financial wellness programs

Store discount

Health and wellness support

Job Description

Whole Foods Market is a leading American supermarket chain specializing in natural and organic foods. Founded in 1980, the company has grown to become a trusted name in the grocery retail industry, renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community involvement. Whole Foods Market is not just any grocery store; it's a place where health, wellness, and environmental stewardship are deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos. The organization strives to nourish people and the planet through various initiatives such as improving how people eat, supporting school garden grants, providing access to fresh and healthy food in underserved areas, and working to alleviate poverty on a global scale. Employees at Whole Foods Market are given the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful change in the world around them.

A career at Whole Foods Market means being part of a community that values excellence and innovation in the grocery industry. The company fosters a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that encourages employees to be world-changers in their roles. Employment can be full-time or part-time, and the wage range for bakery-related roles such as Bakery Decorator spans from $16.50 to $30.20 hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market also offers a comprehensive benefits package known as "Whole Benefits," which includes a variety of perks like health and wellness support, store discounts, paid time off, and financial wellness programs.

The role of Bakery Decorator at Whole Foods Market is pivotal in delivering exceptional bakery products that delight customers and uphold the company’s high-quality standards. This position involves artistic and skilled tasks such as assembling, filling, building, icing, and decorating cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order bakery items. The Bakery Decorator uses advanced cake and pastry decoration techniques, including intermediate piping, color theory, and the application of various icings like Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, and more. As part of their duties, Bakery Decorators ensure that products are fresh, appealingly merchandised, and meet food safety standards.

In addition to technical baking and decorating skills, the Bakery Decorator plays an important role in delivering outstanding customer service by responding to customer needs promptly, supporting other team members including apprentices, and maintaining a clean and safe working environment. They also handle administrative tasks such as completing production and spoilage records and adjusting production schedules to meet business demands. The role requires a strong work ethic, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and excellent communication and teamwork skills. Physical demands include lifting up to 50 pounds, standing or walking for extended periods, and working with various tools and equipment safely.

Overall, working as a Bakery Decorator at Whole Foods Market offers an enriching career path for those passionate about baking arts, customer service, and making a positive impact within their community. The position combines creative culinary skills with operational responsibilities in a company that prioritizes sustainability, quality, equity, and continuous improvement.

Job Requirements

Must be able to lift 50 pounds
Stand or walk 6-8 hours in an 8-hour workday
Use of hands for single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling
Ability to bend, twist, squat, and reach
Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals
Ability to work in 90 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures
Ability to work in wet and dry conditions
Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
Ability to safely use knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery
May require use of ladders

Job Qualifications

Minimum of 6-12 months retail or restaurant experience
Completion of the Bakery Decorator Apprentice training program or equivalent experience
Prior experience within a professional bakery or grocery retail preferred
Efficient cake and pastry decorating skills including intermediate piping techniques and ability to create decorative flowers and borders
Understanding of color theory as it pertains to blending buttercream colors and coordinating complementing palettes
Ability to apply proper technique with all icings including Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and varieties of Meringue
Ability to follow recipes, directions, and procedures
Effective time management and organization skills
Advanced knife handling, tool, and equipment safety
Basic math skills for recipe conversions and modifications
Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team
Ability to deliver information clearly and respectfully to Team Members, customers, and vendors
Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards
Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency

Job Duties

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items
Build, ice, and decorate cakes and other bakery items following standard procedures to meet business demand
Complete production and spoilage records according to standard procedures, adjusting production sheets to maintain sufficient product
Prioritize production lists and recommend adjustments as needed
Merchandise and showcase products in the sales display case to satisfy and delight customers
Monitor product quality for freshness and ensure proper product rotation within the display case, following standard procedures
Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members
Create special order cake designs based on customer preferences
Provide excellent customer service, addressing customers' needs in a timely and effective manner, model suggestive selling techniques, answer phones and pages promptly and courteously
Maintain, or ensure maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment
maintain equipment in accordance with Whole Foods Market cleanliness and safety standards
Perform opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned, ensuring accuracy of signage and pricing
Perform other duties as assigned