Cake Decorator (Early Morning)- Smithfield

About the role

Lee’s Marketplace is a family-owned grocery chain committed to providing an enjoyable shopping experience for our guests. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality products, exceptional service, and a friendly, welcoming environment. We value our team members and treat them like family, and we strive to make a positive impact in the communities in which we serve.

As a Cake Decorator, you will be responsible for creating beautifully decorated cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods for customers. You will work in collaboration with the Bakery team to ensure high-quality, visually appealing products while maintaining the store's commitment to customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a passion for decorating, possess strong attention to detail, and be able to handle a fast-paced work environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers with cake and dessert orders, providing recommendations, design ideas, and customization options.
• Work effectively with the Bakery team to ensure all cake orders are completed on time and to customer specifications.
• Decorate cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods according to customer requests and store standards using techniques such as piping, fondant, airbrushing, and edible paints to create custom designs for special events, birthdays, weddings, and holidays.
• Ensure all decorations are visually appealing and meet the store’s quality standards.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of attractive cake displays in the bakery section.
• Monitor and maintain the inventory of decoration supplies (icing, fondant, colors, etc.), notifying the manager when items need to be restocked.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area, including cleaning tools and equipment used in the decoration process.
• Assist in other bakery-related tasks as needed, such as packaging, display setup, and cleaning.
• Greet and assist guests in a friendly and courteous manner, providing knowledgeable answers to inquiries and resolving complaints professionally.
• Promote and exemplify a high level of morale within the store through open communication with guests and team members.
• Foster relationships with local vendors, businesses, and community organizations to enhance store presence and customer loyalty.
• Participate in community events and promotions to drive traffic to the store.
• Stock shelves and maintain displays according to store standards, overseeing product placement and merchandising efforts.
• Ensure product freshness by monitoring quality, rotating stock, and checking expiration dates.
• Assist in unloading deliveries, organizing stock rooms, packaging, and labeling products using a computer program.
• Monitor inventory levels, assist with ordering processes, and minimize shrinkage.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, ensuring all cake decorating equipment is properly maintained, cleaned, and stored.
• Follow and implement all safety and sanitation procedures, reporting any hazards or equipment issues to management.
• Adhere to all food safety and sanitation regulations, including maintaining a valid food handlers permit.
• Operate cash registers and handle transactions accurately if applicable, following store policies on returns, exchanges, and refunds.
• Work cooperatively and communicate effectively with team members to achieve store goals.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions, assisting other departments as needed.

Requirements

• 18 years or older.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Food Handlers Permit required.
• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Previous Cake Decorating Experience (preferred).
• Previous Customer Service Experience (required).

Skills and Abilities

• Effective communication in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to design custom cakes aligning with customer requests, themes, and special events.
• Precision in decorating cakes with intricate details, ensuring clean and polished designs.
• Strong eye for color coordination, texture, and balance in decoration.
• Awareness of current cake decorating trends, popular designs, and seasonal themes.
• Problem-solving skills to implement solutions quickly and effectively.
• Ability to complete complex cake designs within deadlines, especially for custom orders.
• Efficient multitasking to balance multiple cake orders simultaneously.
• Professional interaction with customers, taking custom orders, and providing recommendations.
• Openness to feedback and ability to adjust designs based on customer input.
• Ability to learn new technology and tools quickly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle customer inquiries effectively.
• Good verbal communication and ability to read and follow instructions.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, twist, sit, and bend for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity for handling small objects and operating equipment.
• Repetitive use of hands and arms to push, pull, carry, lift, reach, grip, and balance.
• Occasionally stoop, crouch, kneel, or crawl.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to access and navigate all areas of the bakery.
• Occasional use and climbing of step stools or ladders.

Tools and Machinery

• Pallet jack
• Wheeler
• Lifts
• Trash compactor
• Scales
• Computers
• Phones/Intercoms
• Registers/Cash handling
• Oven/proofer, slicer, electric knives, piping tools, mixers, etc.
• Company Trucks, Transits, and Vehicles
• Temperature-controlled rooms and equipment
• Any other items necessary for store function and maintenance

Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage/salary.
• Paid time and a quarter on Sundays.
• Benefits packages including health insurance, Disability plans, EAP, 401k plans, and Supplemental Insurances.
• 10% discount, restrictions apply.
• Ace Hardware Discount at Lees Ace Hardware locations.
• Paid Time Off for those who qualify.

Work Environment

• Friendly and supportive team atmosphere.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Safety-forward atmosphere.
• Innovative, supportive, and input-driven management team.