Assistant Bakery Manager

Position Summary

The Assistant Bakery Manager supports the Bakery Manager in overseeing daily department operations, ensuring exceptional customer service, high-quality products, food safety compliance, inventory management, merchandising execution, and associate development. This position assists with achieving sales and profitability goals while maintaining department standards, operational efficiency, and a clean, safe work environment. The Assistant Bakery Manager assumes department leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Bakery Manager.

Key Responsibilities Customer Service & Sales

• Deliver outstanding customer service and promote a customer-first culture.
• Assist customers with bakery purchases, special orders, cake orders, and product recommendations.
• Resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Support department sales growth through merchandising, promotions, sampling programs, and seasonal events.
• Ensure bakery displays remain attractive, fully stocked, and properly maintained.

Department Operations

• Assist with daily bakery production, packaging, decorating, merchandising, ordering, and inventory management.
• Ensure bakery products are prepared and displayed according to company standards.
• Monitor product quality, freshness, rotation, and code date compliance.
• Maintain accurate pricing, signage, and promotional execution.
• Support production planning to meet customer demand while controlling shrink and waste.
• Maintain department cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness.

Leadership & Team Development

• Assist in training, coaching, and developing Bakery Department associates.
• Provide leadership, direction, and support during assigned shifts.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Support labor scheduling and productivity initiatives.
• Assist with onboarding and training new associates on bakery procedures, customer service expectations, and food safety standards.
• Encourage associate engagement and professional development.

Merchandising & Product Quality

• Maintain bakery cases, tables, and displays to company merchandising standards.
• Support execution of seasonal, holiday, and promotional merchandising programs.
• Monitor product presentation and ensure quality standards are consistently met.
• Ensure cakes, breads, pastries, donuts, and specialty bakery products are properly displayed and maintained.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales through product assortment and merchandising enhancements.

Financial Management

• Support achievement of department sales, labor, gross profit, and shrink goals.
• Assist with inventory control and expense management.
• Help minimize waste through proper forecasting, production planning, and inventory rotation.
• Review department conditions and identify opportunities for increased productivity and efficiency.
• Support physical inventory counts and inventory accuracy initiatives.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Monitor proper food handling, storage, labeling, and temperature control procedures.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment.
• Ensure associates follow company food safety standards and sanitation practices.
• Support compliance with company policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.

Safety & Asset Protection

• Promote a safe working environment for associates and customers.
• Ensure bakery equipment is operated and maintained safely.
• Follow accident prevention and incident reporting procedures.
• Support shrink reduction and asset protection initiatives.
• Maintain safe and organized work and storage areas.

Leadership Coverage

• Assume responsibility for department operations in the absence of the Bakery Manager.
• Assist with staffing decisions and operational priorities.
• Communicate department goals, expectations, and performance standards to associates.
• Collaborate with store leadership to support departmental and store-wide objectives.
• Serve as a role model for customer service, productivity, and operational excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous bakery, food service, grocery, or retail experience required.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of bakery production, merchandising, and food safety practices.
• Strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, stoop, and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and heavier loads with assistance when necessary.
• Ability to work around ovens, mixers, proofers, refrigeration equipment, and other bakery machinery.
• Ability to safely handle bakery equipment, products, and supplies.

Desired Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Customer focus
• Bakery production knowledge
• Food safety and sanitation expertise
• Merchandising excellence
• Inventory management
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Organization and attention to detail
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Accountability and adaptability

The Assistant Bakery Manager plays a vital role in supporting department success by helping lead daily operations, maintaining exceptional product quality and food safety standards, developing associates, delivering outstanding customer service, and contributing to department sales, profitability, and operational excellence.

· Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream