Bakery Production Manager

Position Overview: Cafe Knotted is looking for a dedicated and skilled Executive Pastry Chef / Bakery Production Manager  to This position will initially be based out of our commissary kitchen located in Echo Park, and will support our future retail locations with donut, cookie, pastry, cake production and RandD.  We are looking for a passionate individual to lead our bakery production program. The ideal candidate will have good communication skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sense of professionalism, ability to work in a team setting, respect for teammates/tools/facilities/ingredients, and above all, a positive approach to work. This pivotal role will be vital to the success of future Cafe Knotted operations in the Southern California market and beyond. Job Duties and Expectations: At least 2 years of cooking experience (e.g. full-service restaurant, bakery, production kitchen, etc.) Formal education in culinary arts, pastry and/or bread making, preferred but not required  Fundamental knowledge of relevant food preparation, ingredients, and techniques California Food Manager’s certification Effective communication skills and ability to work in a team environment Highly organized, productive, and able to work meticulously in a professional work environment Willingness to take direction, and the ability to produce product according to training and posted recipes, to the standard of the company, by the expected time Ability to work efficiently and complete station tasks according to the posted timeline without compromising quality, good attention to detail throughout all processes Energetic and friendly personality, with strong willingness and ability to support colleagues Regular, predictable and reliable attendance Available to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, nights and/or holidays Lead the bakery production team in all aspects of production, including but not limited to: scaling, mixing, sheeting, shaping, proofing, frying, baking, etc., making sure that the team is working efficiently with the allotted amount of time for each task Lead the team to ensure that all stations are properly set up for the next day’s production with all tools, recipe scaling, mise en place, and necessary product left in the designated places - communicating any pertinent details to the team working the following day Ensure proper inventory management and quality maintenance by making sure that all necessary items are properly cooled, labeled, dated, covered, monitored for freshness, and rotated. Lead inventory management - having an intimate understanding of current inventory levels, current week prep needs, setting production par levels, and ordering accordingly Responsible for ensuring that all invoices are accurate, on time and filed in accordance with company policies and procedures (flagging and following up with vendors on any sudden price increases) Complete all end of day reporting in a timely, detailed, and complete manner Oversee repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment, completing regular maintenance walk-throughs of the space to ensure all equipment is working properly, and ensuring all weekly side-work, deep-clean checklists and maintenance upkeep checklists are completed Maintain a clean, safe, organized, hygienic, and aesthetically-pleasing work space (including shared spaces with co-tenants, e.g. walk-in refrigerator, walk-in freezer, dry-storage), in accordance with Cafe Knotted operations and LA Department of Public Health sanitation guidelines Assist in interviewing potential new hires Train new employees by sharing knowledge, resources, and clearly conveying the correct procedures, workflow and skills to the new employee Supervise the team, guiding their development, and when necessary, providing progressive disciplinary action to maintain a standard of accountability Recognize the importance of professionalism and respect and exemplify this in interactions with vendors and teammates alike Foster a positive work environment and commitment to Cafe Knotted’s values In coordination with the Cafe Knotted Corporate Team, lead RandD of new products and ensure that development follows all timelines and deadlines Develop recipes and prep guides, perform cost analysis, oversee training, and work together with Cafe Knotted Corporate Team in the development of marketing and promotional collateral (e.g. food photoshoots) for all new products Work with the Cafe Knotted Corporate team to source and test packaging for all new products Oversee all catering orders, off-site events, chef collaborations, pop-ups, etc Physical Requirements and Working Conditions include: Requires moderate physical effort: standing for 6-8 hours, carrying, stretching, wrist movement, fine manipulation, grasping, pulling and pushing, lifting of weights up to 35 pounds, stooping, bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, etc. Requires the ability to safely and effectively use all necessary tools and equipment Working conditions involve noise, heat, cold, temperature changes, kitchen elements, odors, moisture, exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals, etc. May be required to work additional hours as dictated by the workload and staffing Must be willing to work early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, bend, walk, use and reach with hands, carry, stretch, wrist movement, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, see, talk, hear, and occasionally balance and lift weights up to 35 pounds. The position requires the ability to safely and effectively use all necessary tools and equipment. Working conditions involve noise, heat, cold, temperature changes, kitchen elements, odors, moisture, exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals and more.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Cafe Knotted is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.

Created: 2025-09-23