Early Morning Production Baker- 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.

The Overnight Production Baker plays a key role in crafting high-quality, scratch-made baked goods that delight our customers each day. This position is responsible for preparing, baking, stocking, rotating, and maintaining inventory for a wide variety of bread, rolls, pastries, cakes, and specialty items during the overnight hours. The ideal candidate has a passion for baking, excellent time management, and a strong understanding of bakery production methods and food safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and bake fresh bread, rolls, pastries, and other baked goods using recipes and formulas provided by the bakery department.
• Accurately measure, mix, cook, and package products according to established recipes and batch sizes to ensure consistent quality and taste.
• Assist with the production of items according to demand forecasts, adjusting production runs as necessary to meet customer and retail needs.
• Assist with maintaining proper inventory levels and ordering supplies as needed to prevent shortages.
• Follow the nightly production schedule to ensure shelves are stocked with fresh product by store opening. Prioritize tasks efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ensure all baked goods meet Lee’s Marketplace standards for appearance, texture, and taste. Prepare items for display or packaging with proper labeling.
• Monitor batch consistency, baking times, temperatures, and product output to ensure optimal quality.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized workstation. Follow all food safety, allergen, and sanitation guidelines, including proper storage and equipment cleaning.
• Assist in monitoring inventory levels, minimizing waste, and reporting low stock or product inconsistencies to the Bakery Manager.
• Maintain, process, and complete orders through digital and written order processing.
• Greet and assist guests and team members in a friendly and courteous manner.
• Provide knowledgeable answers to guest and team member inquiries.
• Promote and exemplify a high level of morale within the department and store, utilizing friendly but professional methods of honest and open communication.
• Ensure product freshness by watching for quality in production, rotating stock, and checking expiration dates.
• Ensure that all perishable items are stored at the correct temperature and dry ingredients are stored in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of production supplies and ingredients. Use a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system to reduce waste and ensure older ingredients are used first.
• Ensure that all recipes are followed accurately to maintain product consistency and quality.
• Ensure that all bakery goods are packaged appropriately to maintain freshness and comply with food safety regulations, including using proper containers or wrapping materials to prevent contamination.
• Ensure that items are correctly labeled with pricing, ingredients, allergen information, and expiration dates.
• Minimize product waste by tracking production quantities and ensure that any waste is disposed of properly or recycled according to store policies.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and follow all safety and sanitation procedures.
• Ensure that products containing common allergens (e.g., nuts, dairy, gluten) are handled and labeled appropriately to avoid cross-contamination.
• Report any safety hazards or equipment issues to the Store Director and report injuries or safety concerns for team members as well as guest accidents in a timely manner.
• Adhere to all food safety and sanitation regulations and contribute to cleaning responsibilities in the department.
• Work cooperatively with team members to achieve store goals and encourage all team members to reach the highest level of teamwork and guest service at all times.
• Communicate and support the Lee’s MarketPlace Mission statement and Core Values.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions and assist other departments as needed.
• 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.
• Maintain good order and productivity through appropriate coaching and communication.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to encourage professional growth.

Requirements

• 18 years or older.
• Availability for overnight hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Food Handler’s Permit (or ability to obtain one).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of baking or commercial bakery experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of commercial baking equipment (e.g., mixers, ovens, proofers) or willingness to learn.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow recipes and procedures accurately.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting during overnight hours.

Skills

• Ability to write, speak, hear, and understand the spoken word to respond promptly to pages, requests, team members, and guests.
• Strong self-motivation skills and proven ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve goals.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills to address operational challenges and implement solutions quickly and effectively.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to manage various bakery operations simultaneously.
• Ability to learn new programs quickly and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Good math skills and ability to read and follow instructions.
• Great verbal communication skills.

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 standing and walking.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the production area.
• Lifting may include floor to shoulder and overhead lifting repeatedly.
• Occasional use and climbing of step stools or ladders are required.

Tools and Machinery

• Commercial Mixers
• Pallet jack
• Wheeler
• Trash compactor
• Ovens/Production machines
• Fryers
• Slicers/knives
• Wrapping machine
• Scales
• Sheeters
• Trays, pans, racks
• Tempering tools
• Temperature-controlled rooms
• Computers
• Phones

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 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.