Head Baker - Gili Trawangan
About Kayu Cafe
Kayu Cafe is located in Gili Trawangan. We are recognized for our artisan bakery, specialty coffee, and warm, relaxed atmosphere. We believe that great bakery products should not only be delicious, but also consistent, visually appealing, and supported by strong operational systems.
We are looking for a Head Baker who possesses strong technical skills and is also capable of leading a team and managing bakery operations end-to-end. This role is ideal for someone who not only enjoys creating high-quality baked goods, but also takes interest in building teams, systems, and more efficient operations.
About the Head Baker Position
This position is not limited to experienced Head Bakers. We are open to bakers with strong skills and experience who are ready to grow into a Head Baker role with the right guidance and motivation.
As Head Baker, you will be responsible for the full bakery operations at Kayu Cafe. You will lead a bakery team of approximately five people and oversee production to support both Kayu Cafe’s in-house needs as well as our B2B clients.
Beyond ensuring consistent product quality, you will also be responsible for managing production workflows, inventory control, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards, controlling food cost, minimizing waste, and building systems that allow the bakery to run smoothly without constant supervision.
Responsibilities
Bakery Production & Quality
Produce and oversee a range of European-style bakery products, especially sourdough, croissants, viennoiserie, and other artisan baked goods
Maintain consistency in taste, texture, size, shape, and presentation
Ensure all products meet Kayu Cafe’s quality standards and brand concept
Regularly evaluate and refine existing products
Participate in the development of new products aligned with business and customer needs
Production Planning & Operational Efficiency
Manage daily production to support Kayu Cafe’s internal needs and B2B clients
Develop efficient and effective production schedules
Identify and resolve bottlenecks in production workflows
Optimize oven usage to maximize production capacity
Plan production based on sales trends and operational needs
Balance product availability, freshness, and waste minimization
Team Leadership
Lead, guide, and develop a bakery team of approximately five people
Build a positive, disciplined, and accountable work culture
Provide regular coaching and feedback to team members
Develop a team capable of working independently and consistently
Inventory Management & Cost Control
Manage raw material inventory and ordering processes in an island-based location (Gili Trawangan)
Forecast ingredient needs while considering logistical challenges in an island setting
Monitor food cost and ingredient usage
Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve profitability
Balance product quality with business sustainability and cost efficiency
Food Safety & Hygiene
Ensure all work areas, equipment, and production processes meet food safety and hygiene standards
Maintain proper storage of raw materials and finished products
Conduct regular checks on product quality and cleanliness
Ensure full team compliance with food safety standards
Systems & Process Improvement
Develop, document, and continuously improve SOPs, standard recipes, and work guidelines
Build systems that enable consistent production without constant supervision
Improve and streamline operational workflows
Establish clear and repeatable working standards for the entire team
Business & Profitability
Understand the relationship between product quality, production cost, and profitability
Monitor bakery performance and identify areas for improvement
Contribute ideas and initiatives to improve efficiency and profitability
Make decisions that balance quality, creativity, and business sustainability
Take ownership of overall bakery success
Requirements
Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role in a bakery
Strong experience in sourdough, croissants, and other artisan bakery products
Strong understanding of European-style bakery, especially French bakery
Experience managing medium to high-volume bakery production
Experience leading, training, and developing teams
Good understanding of inventory management and purchasing processes
Experience in food cost control and waste reduction
Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards
Strong organizational and planning skills
Ability to work independently and take full ownership of bakery operations
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in artisan bakeries, specialty cafés, boutique hospitality, or bakery franchises
Experience managing budgets or departmental P&L
Experience implementing waste reduction or operational efficiency programs
Experience working in island or logistically challenging environments
Personality We Value
Strong sense of ownership and accountability for results
Proactive and able to anticipate problems before they arise
Able to balance creativity with business and profitability needs
Enjoys building systems and improving ways of working
Enjoys mentoring and developing others
Detail-oriented, organized, and consistent in maintaining standards
Able to remain calm under pressure
Solution-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
This Role Is NOT For Someone Who…
Lacks experience in production or French-style bakery environments
Is only interested in baking without interest in leading a team
Is uncomfortable managing people, schedules, or systems
Requires constant direction to complete work
Tends to be reactive rather than proactive
Struggles to accept feedback or process improvements
Does not care about operational efficiency or business profitability
What You’ll Get
BPJS Health & Employment Benefits
Service charge (if applicable)
Accommodation support (if applicable)
Daily staff meal allowance
Opportunity to lead and develop a well-established bakery café in Gili Trawangan
A work environment focused on quality, creativity, and continuous improvement
Opportunity to build systems, grow a team, and make a real impact on the business