Job description
Join Aurora Baking Co., a premium boutique bakery in Portland, as Lead Pastry Chef. You will craft an elevated pastry program, mentor a small team, and partner with the culinary leadership to delight guests with seasonally inspired desserts and breads.
We are seeking a creative, results-driven pastry leader with a passion for quality, consistency, and guest experience. You will own menu development, production planning, quality control, and studio-like pastry plating that shines on the plate and in the social feed.
What you will do: lead recipe development, oversee daily production, manage inventory, maintain food safety standards, train and coach staff, collaborate on seasonal menus, and uphold brand standards in every pastry we serve.
Responsibility
- Lead the design and execution of seasonal pastry menus and signature desserts.
- Oversee daily production of all pastries, breads, and viennoiserie with a focus on consistency and quality.
- Manage recipe testing, portion control, and cost tracking to optimize profitability.
- Coach and develop a small team of pastry artists, scheduling, and performance feedback.
- Ensure strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards (ServSafe or local equivalents).
- Collaborate with the head chef on plating, presentation, and guest experience.
- Maintain relationships with suppliers, manage inventory, and minimize waste.
Qualification
- Minimum 5 years of professional baking and pastry experience, with leadership roles.
- Proven expertise in laminated doughs, chocolate work, sugar work, and cake decoration.
- Strong portfolio of desserts and breads; ability to translate concept to production.
- Excellent organizational and leadership skills; able to manage multiple projects.
- Solid knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP; ServSafe certification preferred.
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
- Ability to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required.