Cake Decorator

Position Overview

As a Cake Decorator at Whole Foods Market in Victoria, BC, you will be responsible for creating and decorating cakes, tarts, pastries, and custom bakery products. Your artistic skills will be key to crafting specialty baked goods with attention to detail and excellent presentation. You will play an important role in delivering high-quality products that meet company standards and providing exceptional customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, fill, decorate, and finish cakes, tarts, select pastries, and special orders following established procedures.
• Ice and embellish bakery products adhering to standards and production needs; maintain accurate production and spoilage records, and adjust production plans to ensure supply meets demand.
• Manage production prioritization and suggest adjustments as required.
• Merchandise and arrange products attractively in display cases, monitor freshness, and rotate inventory properly.
• Guide and support Bakery Decorator Apprentices and team members.
• Create customized cake designs per customer specifications.
• Provide timely and courteous customer service, including suggestive selling and handling communications professionally.
• Maintain clean, sanitary, and safe workspace and equipment in line with company standards.
• Perform opening, mid-shift, and closing tasks including signage and pricing accuracy.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned by management.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Proficient cake and pastry decorating abilities, including intermediate piping techniques and creating decorative flowers and borders.
• Understanding of color theory relevant to mixing and harmonizing buttercream colors.
• Experience working with diverse icings such as Swiss and American Buttercream, Ganache, Cream Cheese Icing, Whipped Cream, Chantilly, German Chocolate Icing, Fudge Icing, and Meringue varieties.
• Ability to follow recipes and procedures accurately, with good organization and time management skills.
• Advanced knife skills and thorough knowledge of tool and equipment safety.
• Basic math skills for recipe adjustments.
• Strong communication and teamwork capabilities.
• Ability to provide clear and respectful communication with customers, colleagues, and vendors.
• Dedicated work ethic and ability to perform efficiently in a fast-paced, high-urgency workplace.

Experience

• At least 6 to 12 months of experience in retail or restaurant environments.
• Completion of Bakery Decorator Apprentice training or equivalent practical experience.
• Previous background working in professional bakery or grocery retail preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Stand and walk for 6 to 8 hours during an 8-hour shift.
• Use hands for grasping, manipulation, pushing, and pulling tasks.
• Tasks require bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching motions.
• Exposure to FDA-approved cleaning agents and varying temperatures — below freezing, refrigeration, and above 90°F.
• Work in both wet and dry environments.
• Flexible scheduling including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Use of tools and equipment including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, heavy machinery, and potentially ladders.

Additional Information

This summary highlights essential duties but is not an exhaustive list. Responsibilities and requirements may evolve with job levels and vary by location and business needs. Promotion to higher positions depends on business necessity, performance, and qualification, not solely on tenure or certifications.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly wage ranges from $21 to $30 depending on experience. Whole Foods Market offers extensive benefits for both full- and part-time employees, including store discounts, paid leave, financial wellness programs, health and wellness support, and other team perks. Benefits eligibility varies by hire date, location, tenure, and job type.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Whole Foods Market promotes diversity and provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the hiring process.