What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Baker position at Small Batch Coffee?
Small Batch Coffee is looking for an experienced Lead Baker to help oversee daily production in our growing from scratch bakery in East Meadow.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can step into a working kitchen, organize production, execute recipes consistently, and maintain high standards for quality and cleanliness. We are a small, fast-paced operation, so we need someone who is comfortable taking ownership while also working collaboratively within the owners’ creative direction.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading and organizing daily bakery production
- Producing pastries, cookies, muffins, cakes, breads, and seasonal items from scratch
- Preparing and working confidently with laminated doughs
- Maintaining consistency in taste, appearance, portioning, and yield
- Scaling recipes accurately for larger production quantities
- Managing multiple recipes, prep lists, and deadlines at once
- Setting up clear mise en place and keeping production organized
- Monitoring ingredient usage, waste, and food costs
- Identifying and correcting production issues before products are served
- Adjusting production when equipment problems or unexpected situations arise
- Maintaining a clean, sanitary, and inspection-ready kitchen
- Establishing cleaning routines for workstations, equipment, storage areas, floors, drains, and hard-to-reach spaces
- Properly labeling, dating, rotating, and storing ingredients
- Helping train and guide other bakery team members
- Collaborating on seasonal pastries and new menu ideas while protecting consistency and cost
The right candidate will have:
- Professional bakery or pastry kitchen experience
- Strong experience with laminated doughs, including items such as croissants, danishes, or similar pastries
- A solid understanding of scratch baking techniques
- Experience planning and executing a full production day
- Strong food safety, sanitation, and kitchen-cleanliness habits
- The ability to work efficiently without becoming disorganized
- Confidence troubleshooting recipes and production problems
- Strong attention to detail and consistency
- The ability to take direction without ego
- A calm, solutions-focused approach during busy shifts
- Reliable attendance and strong communication skills
Culinary school is welcome but not required. Demonstrated experience, organization, leadership, and product quality matter most to us.
This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to take ownership of a bakery kitchen, contribute ideas, and help build something special without working in a stiff corporate environment.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $25