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A well-established and highly regarded bakery in Northern New Jersey is seeking an accomplished Executive Pastry Chef to lead its pastry and bakery program. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned pastry professional with deep expertise in traditional and contemporary Italian pastry who can combine culinary excellence with strong leadership and business acumen.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience producing and overseeing a broad range of Italian pastries, cakes, cookies, desserts, gelato, and specialty baked goods. Formal training in Italian pastry—or professional culinary experience in Italy—is strongly preferred.
This individual will oversee the pastry operation from both a culinary and business perspective, maintaining the quality and traditions the bakery is known for while continuing to evolve the program through seasonal offerings, new product development, and operational improvements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all pastry, bakery, dessert, cake, cookie, and gelato production
- Maintain exceptional standards for quality, consistency, presentation, and authenticity
- Develop new products and seasonal collections while respecting traditional Italian techniques
- Manage food and labor costs, budgeting, purchasing, inventory, production planning, and other key financial metrics
- Establish and maintain recipes, specifications, yields, costing, and production standards
- Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing pastry and bakery team
- Create a positive, collaborative, and professional kitchen culture
- Implement systems that improve efficiency and consistency without compromising craftsmanship
- Work closely with ownership and senior leadership on menu development, business performance, and long-term growth
- Maintain the highest standards of sanitation, organization, and food safety
Ideal Background
- Significant leadership experience as an Executive Pastry Chef, Corporate Pastry Chef, Head Pastry Chef, or similar senior pastry leader
- Extensive hands-on expertise with Italian pastries, cookies, cakes, desserts, gelato, and specialty baked goods
- Formal Italian pastry training and/or professional experience training or working in Italy strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of both traditional Italian pastry and modern techniques
- Proven experience managing the financial performance of a bakery or pastry operation, including food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, and budgeting
- Experience leading and developing sizable pastry/production teams
- Creative approach to seasonal offerings and product development
- Strong organizational and production-planning skills
- Collaborative, positive leadership style with the ability to establish high standards while building a strong team culture
Compensation & Benefits
- $200,000 annual salary
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- 4 weeks PTO
- Long-term opportunity with an established and respected bakery organization
This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished pastry leader who is passionate about Italian baking and pastry traditions and equally comfortable leading people, managing financial performance, and driving the continued evolution of a successful bakery program.
JOB ID: 180436
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Francesca Brajuha