Pastry Cook

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary

A scratch-cooked meal that includes fresh baked goods is not a small thing for someone experiencing homelessness. It signals care. It signals that the person receiving it is worth the effort. Producing that at scale — cookies, muffins, scones, danishes, cakes, quick breads — every day, in high volume, to a consistent standard, is what the Pastry Cook does.

Reporting to the Chef de Cuisine and working within the bakery department under the Lead Baker, the Pastry Cook prepares and bakes breakfast and dessert items across HTM's meal production. This includes mixing and portioning doughs and batters, operating bakery equipment, managing ingredient inventory, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Quality is not optional and neither is flexibility. Menus shift, kitchen priorities change, and the Pastry Cook is expected to adapt without disruption. At HTM, the bakery is part of the daily commitment to serving people with dignity. The Pastry Cook is accountable for upholding that commitment, one batch at a time.

Responsibilities

Baking & Production

Prepare and bake a wide variety of baked goods including quick breads, desserts, cookies, muffins, scones, danishes, and cakes
Mix and portion doughs and batters in accordance with company recipes, techniques, and standards
Cook food according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, and required portion sizes
Apportion and serve food to residents, employees, or patrons as directed
Monitor the quality of ingredients and finished items throughout production; report any issues to the supervisor

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

Operate, maintain, and clean all bakery equipment including scales, mixers, ovens, and stovetops
Inspect all equipment and kitchen appliances regularly to ensure they are clean, functional, and safe
Report any equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to the Chef de Cuisine promptly

Workspace Organization & Sanitation

Maintain a clean and well-organized workspace including proper storage and labeling of all ingredients
Organize and clean all bakery areas including dry storage, refrigeration, and freezer storage
Follow all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards at all times
Assist with trash removal, dishwashing, and general kitchen cleanup as needed

Inventory Support

Monitor ingredient levels and notify the supervisor when supplies are running low
Restock ingredient bins and assist with putting away deliveries
Assist with inventory management as directed

Team Support & Cross-Functional Assistance

Support chefs and kitchen staff with cooking tasks to ensure timely and smooth meal preparation
Assist the savory kitchen team when needed
Work with volunteers and workers who support meal preparation and service
Assist with staff meals and special events as needed
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Must pass pre-employment background check
Must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings
Must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States
Must comply with all HTM policies including safety, confidentiality, conduct, and HIPAA standards
Food Handler Certification required or must be obtained upon hire
Ability to stand for extended periods throughout the full duration of the shift
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach overhead regularly
Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions throughout the shift
Ability to work in variable kitchen conditions including heat and varying temperatures
Full-Time | Non-Exempt classification

Qualifications

Minimum five years of pastry or baking experience required
Minimum two years of high-volume production baking experience required
Catering or large-scale production environment experience preferred
Culinary degree in pastry and baking preferred
High school diploma or GED required
Ability to read, follow, and scale recipes accurately
Experience measuring and weighing ingredients for high-volume baking production
Understanding of knife handling and basic kitchen safety
Commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Skills

Proficiency in pastry and baking techniques across a range of breakfast and dessert items
Knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and proper food handling and storage procedures
Ability to execute recipes with precision and maintain consistency across high-volume production
Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail under deadlines
Ability to manage multiple production tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively
Ability to operate and maintain commercial bakery equipment safely
Ability to collaborate effectively with bakery staff, kitchen team members, and volunteers
Ability to adapt to changes in menu or kitchen priorities without disruption

Mandatory Requirements

Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of background checks as required per worksite.
Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.
Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the US.
Compliance with Company Policies and HIPAA standards – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; various office machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.

Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants’ use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention.

EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.