Position Summary
The Pan Dulce | Mexican Sweet Bread Baker is responsible for preparing, mixing, shaping, and baking traditional Mexican sweet breads (“pan dulce”) and pastries to the highest quality standards. This role requires precision, creativity, and consistency in crafting authentic products such as conchas, cuernitos, orejas, empanadas, puerquitos, and seasonal specialties like pan de muerto and rosca de reyes.
Key Responsibilities
- Production & Preparation
- Prepare doughs and batters according to traditional recipes and bakery standards.
- Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients accurately using scales and industrial mixers.
- Shape and decorate various types of pan dulce by hand, ensuring uniformity and presentation quality.
- Monitor proofing, oven times, and temperatures to achieve ideal texture, flavor, and color.
- Maintain consistent output of daily production quotas and special orders.
- Quality & Authenticity
- Uphold authentic Mexican baking traditions while ensuring consistency in flavor and appearance.
- Develop and refine recipes for new or seasonal pan dulce varieties.
- Perform quality checks for freshness and presentation throughout each shift.
- Sanitation & Safety
- Maintain cleanliness of all baking areas, utensils, and equipment.
- Follow proper food safety, sanitation, and health regulations (FDA and local health codes).
- Store ingredients and finished products safely and appropriately.
- Teamwork & Communication
- Coordinate with the bakery team to ensure timely production and restocking of displays.
- Communicate supply needs, ingredient shortages, and equipment issues promptly.
- Support training of new bakers or assistants in pan dulce techniques and kitchen safety.
Qualifications
- Minimum 2+ years of experience baking Mexican pan dulce or similar pastries.
- Strong knowledge of traditional recipes, dough fermentation, and artisan baking methods.
- Ability to work early morning shifts and in a fast-paced, hot environment.
- Must be detail-oriented, dependable, and able to work independently or in a team.
- Food Handler’s Certification - required upon employment
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Stand for long periods and perform repetitive hand motions (kneading, shaping, decorating).
- Work in varying temperatures (ovens, proofers, refrigerated areas).
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive hourly pay (based on experience).
- Employee discounts on bakery products.
- Opportunities for advancement into Lead Baker or Production Manager roles.
