Production Baker - SE Portland

Elephants Delicatessen is a well-established, locally owned company that has been a pioneer in the gourmet food industry in the Pacific Northwest since 1979. Operating seven retail locations in the Portland metropolitan area along with a thriving catering division, Elephants Delicatessen is highly regarded for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement. As a certified B Corporation, the company emphasizes transparency, environmental responsibility, and social impact while serving exceptional, scratch-made food deeply rooted in the local community. This dedication to excellence and ethical business practices has made Elephants Delicatessen a beloved staple for food enthusiasts who value both taste and sustainability.

The company is currently looking to add a Production Baker to their Central Kitchen team located at 1611 SE 7th Avenue. This is a full-time, hourly non-exempt position offering a competitive wage of $18 per hour. The schedule is flexible and will be determined based on business needs, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and peak-season hours, requiring adaptability and reliability from the employee. Reliable transportation is essential due to the location of the kitchen.

The Production Baker plays a crucial role in maintaining the high standards of Elephants Delicatessen's bakery products. This position involves preparing, mixing, proofing, baking, finishing, decorating, packaging, and labeling a wide range of breads, pastries, desserts, and bake-off bakery items. The role requires working in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment and supports daily production schedules, catering operations, and bake-off production, all while upholding product quality, consistency, food safety, and efficiency standards.

Working closely with multiple bakery production areas, the Production Baker will utilize commercial bakery equipment such as mixers, proof boxes, rotating ovens, deck ovens, convection ovens, dough dividers, and presses. Responsibilities include preparing fillings, frostings, glazes, and toppings, as well as assembling bakery orders, dessert trays, pastry platters, and special orders for catering and store fulfillment. The baker must be able to monitor product quality carefully and make process adjustments as needed to meet rigorous standards.

Elephants Delicatessen is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture and provides extensive benefits including employer-contributed vacation and sick time, comprehensive Kaiser Medical coverage with alternative care options (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy), dental insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. Additional perks include mental health services, free counseling, financial services, employee advancement opportunities, product discounts, pet insurance, employee raffles, and discounts at partner companies.

This opportunity is ideal for someone passionate about baking and who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced kitchen environment. The company values a team-oriented attitude, dedication to quality, and the ability to maintain productivity under pressure. It also supports career growth with training programs designed to fast-track culinary and hospitality careers. Elephants Delicatessen is committed to equal employment opportunities and prohibits any discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics.

If you are someone who enjoys working with your hands and takes pride in producing consistent, high-quality baked goods, joining Elephants Delicatessen as a Production Baker offers a rewarding career in a respected company that values community, sustainability, and employee well-being.