Pastry Chef

Company Overview:

A career at Whole Foods Market is about more than the work you do—it's about personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet by improving how people eat, funding school garden grants, providing access to fresh food in food deserts, alleviating poverty in developing countries, and more. Working with us means making a difference in your community and beyond. Whole Foods Market sets the standard of excellence in the grocery industry, and as a Pastry Artist, you will contribute to this mission by creating exceptional baked goods.

Role and Responsibilities:

As a Pastry Artist (Bakery Decorator), you will be responsible for creating, decorating, and finishing cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order bakery items while ensuring high-quality presentation and adherence to food safety standards.

• Assemble, fill, and decorate cakes, tarts, select pastries, and special-order bakery items.
• Build, ice, and decorate bakery items following standard procedures to meet business demand.
• Complete production and spoilage records, 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 delight customers.
• Monitor product quality for freshness and ensure proper rotation within display cases.
• 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, including suggestive selling, answering calls promptly, and addressing customer needs.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work and shopping environment; maintain equipment according to Whole Foods Market cleanliness and safety standards.
• Perform opening, mid, and closing duties, ensuring accurate signage and pricing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Efficient cake and pastry decorating skills, including intermediate piping techniques and decorative flowers and borders.
• Knowledge of color theory for buttercream blending and palette coordination.
• Ability to use various icings, including Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and Meringues.
• Ability to follow recipes, directions, and procedures with effective time management and organization.
• Advanced knife handling, tool, and equipment safety.
• Basic math skills for recipe conversions and modifications.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations in all interactions with customers, vendors, and team members.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with urgency.

Experience:

• 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.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Standing or walking 6-8 hours per 8-hour workday.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Work involves bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals and temperatures up to 90°F.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions and a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to use tools and equipment including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery; may require ladders.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage range: $16.50 $30.20 hourly, commensurate with experience.
• Whole Benefits including health insurance, retirement plan benefits, eligibility for store discount, paid time off, and access to other benefit programs.

About Whole Foods Market:

Whole Foods Market provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates. The company hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications and business needs, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace culture. At Whole Foods Market, you will help set standards of excellence while growing your skills and contributing to meaningful community impact.