Program Manager/Pastry Chef

Naperville, IL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $68,870.00 - $86,087.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional development opportunities

community engagement activities

Job Description

Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through expert educational, family, and community support. Founded in 1936, this affiliate of America's largest nonprofit health care organization has consistently served the Chicagoland and Greater Rockford communities with compassion and dedication. Their core mission revolves around two key pillars: early learning and disability support, ensuring inclusive opportunities and resources for diverse individuals and families. Easterseals takes pride in fostering a welcoming environment that emphasizes empowerment, skill-building, and community integration for people with varying abilities.

The Program Manager/Pastry Chef position at the Happy Apple Pie Shop represents an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader to oversee the bakery’s daily operations while advancing Easterseals’ mission in a unique culinary setting. Located at 226 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL, this role entails managing a bakery that offers employment, job training, and life skills development for individuals with and without disabilities. The Program Manager/Pastry Chef will provide essential leadership, staff coaching, and operational oversight to ensure the production of high-quality baked goods in alignment with program goals.

This full-time role combines the art of pastry and bakery management with community-oriented workforce development. The individual will collaborate closely with chef consultants to drive business growth through events, product innovation, and customer engagement. Moreover, this position plays a pivotal role in supporting and empowering employees by fostering an inclusive workplace that promotes independence, skill development, and teamwork among the bakery staff. The Program Manager/Pastry Chef also assumes responsibility for budget management, inventory oversight, vendor relations, and quality assurance within the bakery.

The ideal candidate will be adept at balancing the fast-paced demands of a bakery environment with the nuanced skills of leadership and empathy necessary to support a diverse team. This role requires experience in pastry baking combined with leadership abilities to motivate and nurture team members. Strong organizational, communication, and technical skills are important, along with a commitment to Easterseals’ values and community focus. This position promises a rewarding career path for those who want to impact lives positively while indulging their love of food and pastry arts.

Compensation for this role ranges from $68,870 to $86,087 annually, reflecting the importance of the responsibilities and expertise required. This Program Manager/Pastry Chef position stands as a bridge between culinary excellence and meaningful social impact, inviting candidates to bring their talents to a workplace dedicated to expanding possibilities and embracing abilities.

Job Requirements

Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate preferred
city and state food sanitation certificate
two years of chef or sous chef experience managing a pastry department
two years of leadership or management experience
experience working with diverse individuals
experience with recipe formatting, menu development, ordering, and inventory tracking
strong organizational and computer skills including Microsoft Office, costing, budgeting, POS systems, and payroll
valid driver's license, auto insurance, and reliable vehicle
demonstrated ability to work with diverse backgrounds
excellent interpersonal skills
well organized and detail oriented
desire to source thoughtfully and coordinate with local suppliers
technologically adept with intermediate Microsoft Office skills
exceptional work ethic and ability to multi-task
ability to obtain and maintain certification in crisis prevention, intervention, and CPR
strong time management and supervision skills
service orientation and instructing skills
effective communication skills at all levels
ability to use data tracking and software programs
ability to perform physical tasks and lift up to 50 pounds frequently

Job Qualifications

Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate preferred
City and State Food Sanitation certificate
two years of Chef or Sous Chef experience managing a pastry department
two years of leadership or management experience overseeing daily operations, planning, scheduling, and process building
experience working with diverse individuals with different abilities
experience with recipe formatting, menu development, ordering, and inventory tracking
strong organizational and computer skills including Microsoft Office, costing, budgeting, POS systems, and payroll
demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
well organized, detail oriented, and motivated for maintaining bakery appearance
desire to source thoughtfully and coordinate with local suppliers
technologically adept with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and Excel
exceptional work ethic and ability to multi-task
ability to obtain and maintain crisis prevention, intervention, and CPR certifications
strong time management and supervision skills
service orientation and instructing capabilities
effective communication skills at all organizational levels
ability to use data tracking and software systems for program efficiency

Job Duties

Oversee daily bakery operations and maintenance of equipment and facilities
recommend bakery and program design changes including hours of operation, menu composition, and community outreach
lead new product development including menu development, weekend specials, and holiday planning
monitor bakery operations to maximize production of high-quality products and achieve program goals
track and analyze production and operations metrics for efficiency, quality, and resource utilization
monitor budget performance and develop plans to address variances and create amendments
oversee inventory and ordering of bakery ingredients and supplies with a focus on local supplier relationships
lead program projects including formatting recipes and costing
plan and execute on- and off-site special events
provide direct supervision and leadership to bakery team members including individuals with disabilities
develop and enhance recruitment and onboarding processes
encourage, train, and coach staff to develop skills
track individual progress and tailor skill development
create plans for workforce integration
delegate work, set priorities, and ensure proper staffing and resources daily
create visual and physical supports to maximize team independence
foster professional development of Sous Chef/Lead Baker
enforce policies, procedures, and standards to ensure satisfaction, retention, and product quality
serve as support source by encouraging feedback and resolving concerns
ensure team understands organizational values and goals
maintain knowledge of employment programs, laws, and community trends
implement best practices in vocational training and employment
embody Easterseals core competencies and culture
participate in leadership calls and meetings
facilitate and participate in bakery team meetings
maintain records of hours and work completed
communicate effectively with customers, leadership, consultants, and stakeholders
maintain daily logs for review
create tools and reports for data-driven decisions
support leadership in accurate program information dissemination
perform all other duties as assigned