What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Pastry Chef position at Hewn Bakery?
About the Company
Are you a pastry professional looking to make your mark at an award-winning, community-centered bakery? At Hewn, we are more than just a bakery; we are a destination built on a deep commitment to tradition, quality, and sustainability. Recognized nationally for our artisan craftsmanship, we specialize in naturally leavened breads and pastries made from scratch daily. Our mission centers on reviving heritage grains and partnering directly with local farmers and millers to source the finest midwestern, sustainable ingredients.
About the Role
As our Head Pastry Chef, you will lead a dedicated, passionate team in a collaborative kitchen where heritage techniques meet modern culinary creativity. If you love working with high-integrity ingredients, value a deeply rooted community ethos, and want to shape an acclaimed pastry program, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- Contribute to and oversee all pastry baking and production, directly managing pastry team members and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the pastry department.
- Work collaboratively with the managers of other bakery teams to ensure seamless kitchen integration, balanced scheduling, and optimized overall production.
Qualifications
- Professional Culinary Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional pastry production experience in a high-volume bakery, fine dining, or other culinary environment. Culinary Degree is preferred.
- Leadership & Management: A minimum of 3 to 4 years of experience in a management role with a proven track record of managing schedules, delegation, and team workflows. Previous experience as a Head Pastry Chef is preferred.
- Technical Skillset: Advanced knowledge of artisan pastry techniques, including laminated doughs, seasonal baking, viennoiserie, and precise temperature-dependent production. Familiarity with managing heritage grains and flour sourcing is a strong plus.
- Administrative Proficiency: Strong organizational skills with experience managing food costs, ordering raw inventory, and using kitchen/bakery management software.
- Certifications & Compliance: Must hold a current ServSafe Manager Certification and possess a thorough understanding of local health department codes.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to work early morning hours, weekends and holidays, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 50 pounds (bags of flour, heavy equipment components) as required in a fast-paced production kitchen.
Required Skills
- Direct Supervision: Directly manages and oversees the Pastry Sous Chef and pastry team members, serving as their primary point of leadership, accountability, and mentorship.
- Delegation & Workflow: Effectively delegates daily production tasks, prep lists, and operational responsibilities to the Pastry Sous Chef and team members, ensuring that labor is optimized and production targets are met efficiently.
- Professional Development: Mentors the Pastry Sous Chef to develop their leadership skills, culinary techniques, and administrative capabilities (such as ordering and inventory) to support their professional growth and build bench strength in the kitchen.
- Culture & Communication: Holds the team accountable to Hewn’s operational and behavioral standards. Fosters a collaborative, respectful, and open work environment where feedback is given constructively and team issues are addressed immediately.
Preferred Skills
- Collaborative Design & R&D: Works closely with the owners and GM to brainstorm, test, and develop innovative new pastry items and holiday specials throughout the year, ensuring new creations fit Hewn’s brand identity.
- Costing & Scalability: Ensures all new menu items are structurally scalable for high-volume production, properly portioned, and yield target profit margins before being introduced to the menu.
- Ingredient Sourcing & Heritage Grains: Collaborates with owners regarding flour sourcing for all pastry-related menu items. Proactively researches and experiments with regional heritage grains, local seasonal produce, and sustainable ingredients to elevate product flavor profiles.
- Rollout & Execution: Creates clear training guidelines and production notes for any newly introduced items so the pastry team can execute them with consistency.
Pay range and compensation package
This is a full-time, salaried position with a benefits package. Salary will be determined based on experience.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Hewn is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.