Cake Decorator - Full Time

About the Role

As a Bakery Decorator, you'll be responsible for all duties related to creating and decorating cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order items. You'll use your artistic talents to build and finish all specialty bakery goods, ensuring every detail is just right. You'll play a critical role in upholding our differentiators by providing outstanding service and delicious treats to our customers, meeting our quality standards. You'll also support our Core Values and goals, promote companywide, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure strict adherence to all applicable Food Safety and compliance duties.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastries, 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, and answer phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; ensure equipment adheres to Whole Foods Market cleanliness and safety standards.
• Perform opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned, ensuring accuracy of signage and pricing.

Skills

• Efficient cake and pastry decorating skills, including intermediate piping techniques and creating decorative flowers and borders.
• Understanding of color theory for blending buttercream colors and coordinating complementing palettes.
• Ability to apply proper techniques with various icings: Swiss Buttercream, American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and Meringue varieties.
• 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.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of 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

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Standing/walking 6-8 hours in an 8-hour workday.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Motions required: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: 90°F.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Use of tools and equipment: knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, heavy machinery, and ladders.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $17.50-$30.20 hourly, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits," including a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility varies based on work location, length of service, and job type.