Job description
Join Aurora Bakehouse, a growing artisan bakery in the heart of Portland, where craftsmanship, creativity, and teamwork define our daily work. We are seeking a Senior Pastry Chef to lead our pastry program and inspire a team of passionate bakers.
As the Senior Pastry Chef, you will shape our dessert and pastry strategy, develop seasonal menus, oversee production, and ensure the highest quality standards across all items. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence a beloved local brand and grow with a creative, results-driven team.
We provide competitive compensation, a collaborative work environment, and opportunities for continued professional development.
Responsibility
- Lead daily pastry production including croissants, laminated doughs, tarts, cakes, petits fours, and pastries for service and wholesale.
- Develop seasonal menus and product innovations aligned with brand identity and bakery capabilities.
- Manage, train, and mentor the pastry team; maintain high standards of pastry execution and plating.
- Oversee production planning, scheduling, quality control, and on-time delivery for in-store, events, and wholesale orders.
- Monitor inventory, ordering, waste, and cost controls to optimize profitability.
- Ensure strict adherence to food safety, HACCP, and sanitation standards; maintain documentation and audits.
- Collaborate with the bakery manager and front-of-house team to ensure cohesive guest experiences.
Qualification
- 5+ years of professional pastry experience in a fast-paced bakery or patisserie sense of luxury.
- Formal culinary or pastry training from an accredited program.
- Proven leadership experience; ability to coach and develop staff.
- Expertise in laminated doughs, viennoiserie, chocolate tempering, sugar work, and dessert plating.
- Strong portfolio of signature pastries and desserts; demonstrated creativity and product development.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and communication skills.
- Food safety certification and a solid understanding of HACCP principles.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.