Lead Decorator

About Us
At Erin McKenna’s Bakery, we craft high-quality pastries and baked goods that are gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, while maintaining our reputation for exceptional taste and presentation. We’re a high-volume, high-standards bakery that takes pride in innovation, consistency, and quality.

The Role
We’re growing our decorating team and looking for an expert Lead Cake Decorator to set the standard for quality and creativity, guide our decorators, and keep production on schedule. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled decorator who is confident taking on detailed custom orders and wedding cakes, and who is equally comfortable leading a team and working hands-on.

Responsibilities

Hands-on decorating

• Design and execute wedding cakes, detailed custom orders, and seasonal collections, including consulting with customers on designs.
• Decorate cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and pastries with precision and creativity, ensuring consistent, high-quality presentation.
• Use precise knife and piping skills to cut, level, and decorate cakes.
• Prepare and package baked goods for customer orders and retail cases.
• Assist with production tasks, following recipes and established quality standards.
• Monitor ingredients and finished products for consistency, texture, and appearance.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area while following food-safety protocols.

Leading the team

• Oversee daily decorating production, assign tasks, and keep orders on schedule.
• Train, mentor, and support decorators on techniques, standards, and procedures.
• Serve as the final quality check before products go to customers or retail cases.
• Ensure you and your team follow strict sanitation, allergen, cross-contamination, and kosher procedures to maintain gluten-free, vegan, and kosher compliance.
• Collaborate with the team on catering orders, special requests, and seasonal designs.
• Monitor decorating supplies and inventory, and communicate ordering needs.
• Act as the point of contact between the decorating team and management, baking, and front of house.

Decorating Skills

Required

• Designing and executing wedding cakes
• Stacking and supporting multi-layer cakes
• Fondant work and sculpted details
• Chocolate ganache finishes
• Piping intricate buttercream flowers
• Drawing and creating designs with buttercream
• Decorating cookies with vegan royal icing

Seasonal (preferred)

• Decorating gingerbread people, and building and decorating gingerbread houses

Requirements

• 3+ years of professional cake decorating experience, including wedding and detailed custom work.
• A portfolio showing advanced work, especially wedding cakes and intricate custom designs.
• Previous lead, supervisor, or managerial experience. Leadership experience is required.
• Proven ability to manage production schedules and train others.
• Background in food production or preparation.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and regulations.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong customer-service and communication skills.
• Creative mindset with an eye for design, trends, and aesthetics in cake decoration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous kitchen or restaurant experience.
• Familiarity with gluten-free, vegan, and/or kosher principles.

Core Competencies

• Quality-Focused: Consistently produces high-quality products with attention to detail.
• Efficiency: Handles multiple tasks and high production volumes with accuracy.
• Adaptability: Adjusts easily to new designs, seasonal items, and production changes.
• Team Player: Works collaboratively to achieve production goals and maintain a positive work environment.
• Leadership: Sets the standard for the team, communicates clearly, and helps others grow.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person