Cake Decorator (Morning Shift)-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.

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.
• 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.
• Maintain and monitor inventory of decoration supplies (icing, fondant, colors, etc.), notifying management 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.
• Provide knowledgeable answers to guest inquiries and address customer complaints and inquiries in a professional manner.
• Promote and exemplify a high level of morale within the store, utilizing friendly but professional methods of honest and open communication with guests and team members.
• Be familiar with, and assist customers with use of, Lee’s Marketplace website.
• 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.
• Oversee product placement and merchandising efforts to enhance the shopping experience.
• Ensure product freshness by rotating stock and checking expiration dates.
• Assist in unloading deliveries and organizing stock rooms as needed.
• Package and label products using a computer program.
• Monitor inventory levels, assist with ordering processes, and minimize shrinkage.
• Assist in conducting regular inventory audits to ensure accuracy and availability of products.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and ensure that all cake decorating equipment is properly maintained, cleaned, and stored.
• Follow and implement all safety and sanitation procedures; report any safety hazards or equipment issues to management.
• Adhere to all food safety and sanitation regulations, including maintaining a valid food handlers permit.
• Report team member and guest accidents in a timely manner.
• Work cooperatively and communicate effectively with team members to achieve store goals.
• Communicate and support the Lee’s Marketplace Mission statement and Core Values.
• Work closely with the Bakery Manager and Store Director to ensure cohesive store operations.
• Evaluate the entire store continually and make recommendations for changes to Department Managers.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions.
• Assist other departments as needed.
• Work in a fast-paced, sometimes crowded, sales environment with tact and patience.
• Work with team to ensure products are sold well before their expiration date.
• Attend departmental, store and company meetings as required; contribute to profits and revenues and meet productivity standards.
• Promote a harassment-free environment, and immediately report any potential harmful situation to management.

Position Requirements

• Age Requirement: 18 years or older
• Availability: Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Food Handlers Permit Required

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.
• Occasional stooping, crouching, kneeling, or crawling.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the bakery.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times; lifting may include floor-to-shoulder and overhead lifting repeatedly.
• Occasional use and climbing of step stools or ladders are required.

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

Education or Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Previous cake decorating experience (preferred)
• Previous customer service experience (required)

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, to interact with customers, team members, and follow company policies and procedures.
• Ability to design custom cakes that align with customer requests, themes, and special events (birthdays, weddings, holidays).
• Precision in decorating cakes with intricate details, ensuring designs are clean, polished, and aligned with customer expectations.
• Strong eye for color coordination, texture, and balance in decoration.
• Awareness of current cake decorating trends, popular designs, and seasonal themes.
• Ability to implement solutions quickly and effectively.
• Ability to complete complex cake designs within deadlines, especially for custom orders or special events.
• Efficient at multitasking, balancing the decoration of multiple cakes or orders at once.
• Ability to interact with customers professionally, take custom orders, and provide recommendations based on their needs.
• Excellent communication skills to understand customer preferences and translate them into a finished product.
• 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.
• Ability to handle customer inquiries and complaints effectively.
• Ability to read and follow instructions.

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 Lee’s Ace Hardware locations.
• Paid time off to 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.