CAKE DECORATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

A Cake Decorator transforms raw bakery ingredients into finished, display-ready products for retail customers. The role owns the full decoration output of a bakery department, from standard daily par production to custom special orders and wedding cakes, all governed by Weights and Measures compliance and food safety certification requirements. Working within a grocery or specialty retail environment, the Cake Decorator answers directly to department management and serves a customer base that ranges from everyday shoppers to event planners placing advance orders. No two shifts are identical.

As the Cake Decorator, you produce decorated cakes, pastries, tarts, and special-order items that meet daily par levels while upholding food safety and sanitation standards across the bakery department. You operate within a retail store structure, reporting to bakery management, and your output directly shapes in-store product availability and customer satisfaction with every display case you fill.

Career Impact: Mastering elegant piping techniques, fondant work, and custom order execution builds a portfolio that carries weight in both retail bakery and specialty cake markets.

Business Impact: The decorated product you produce drives bakery department sales, supports special-occasion repeat business, and reflects the store's overall standard for fresh, display-quality goods.

Growth Opportunity: Experience across production records, inventory management, and customer-facing order planning opens a clear path toward senior decorator or bakery department lead roles.

• Decorate cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order items including wedding cakes to department standards and daily par requirements.
• Produce mandatory bakery items such as parfaits, bars, and cupcakes in quantities specified on production sheets.
• Complete production and spoilage records, adjusting par levels to maintain sufficient and fresh product.
• Prepare, weigh, package, and price bakery products for sale in accordance with Weights and Measures regulations.
• Monitor product freshness and execute proper rotation across display cases, backroom, freezer, and cooler.
• Maintain display cases and stock designated cakes, pastries, and cream pies to merchandising standards.
• Greet and engage customers upon department entry, take accurate special orders, and model suggestive selling techniques.
• Operate, clean, and maintain bakery equipment and workstations in compliance with health and sanitation requirements.

• High school diploma or equivalent work experience.
• 6 or more months of retail or food service experience, with demonstrated exposure to bakery or perishable food handling.
• Demonstrated cake decorating skills including the ability to produce flowers, decorative borders, and piping work.
• Current food safety certification or ability to obtain one prior to start.
• Basic math skills for recipe conversion, product weighing, and inventory adjustment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to deliver clear information to customers, team members, and vendors.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by store operations.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand or walk for the majority of an 8-hour shift.

• One or more years of dedicated cake decorating experience in a retail grocery or specialty bakery setting.
• Experience handling special event orders including tiered or custom wedding cakes.
• Familiarity with suggestive selling techniques and customer engagement on a retail sales floor.
• Experience completing spoilage logs, production sheets, or inventory management records.

• Order accuracy rate, measuring how consistently special and custom orders match customer specifications.
• Daily par fulfillment percentage, tracking how reliably production targets are met each shift.
• Product rotation compliance rate, reflecting adherence to freshness and food safety rotation schedules.
• Display case fill rate, measuring how consistently designated case slots are stocked to standard.
• Customer service interaction score, based on order intake accuracy and floor engagement observed during shifts.

• Base Salary Range: $15 to $20 per hour, depending on experience and market.
• Bonus: Typically not offered at this level; occasional merit increases apply.
• Equity: Not standard for this role or seniority level.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage common at full-time retail employers.
• PTO: Typically 5 to 10 days per year plus paid holidays at major retail chains.
• Common Perks: Employee discount on store products, flexible scheduling options, and on-the-job skills training.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the workplace upon request, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Employment in this role is contingent on successful completion of a background check. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Cake Decorator owns daily decoration of cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order items while managing production records and product rotation to maintain par levels. Working within the bakery team, the Cake Decorator supports sales goals through effective merchandising, customer service, and compliance with health and sanitation standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Creatively decorate all cakes, tarts, pastries, and special-order items.
• Assist with production of mandatory bakery products including parfaits, bars, and cupcakes.
• Produce in-house products to daily par levels as specified on production sheets.
• Complete production and spoilage records, adjusting production sheets to maintain sufficient product.
• Prepare, package, weigh, and price bakery products for sale.
• Monitor product quality for freshness and ensure proper product rotation.
• Provide excellent customer service, addressing customer needs in a timely and effective manner.
• Maximize sales potential through effective procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Follow and comply with established procedures including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary working environment and keep equipment in accordance with cleanliness and safety standards.

Required Qualifications

• 6-12 months of retail experience.
• Thorough product knowledge across bakery items.
• Good cake decorating skills including ability to make flowers, decorative borders, and elegant piping techniques.
• Basic math skills for recipe conversions and modifications.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver information clearly to team members, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations in all interactions.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Passion for natural foods and the mission of the organization.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.

Embedded within the retail bakery team, the Cake Decorator delivers decorated cakes and desserts while managing display cases, inventory, and product merchandising to meet operational and sales goals. Working closely with management and customers, the Cake Decorator builds relationships through product knowledge, training, and interactive sales techniques.

Core Functions

• Take accurate, detailed orders and plan cake orders.
• Decorate cakes and desserts in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain cake display cases and properly fill with designated cakes, pastries, and creme pies.
• Collaborate with management in decision-making and implementation to ensure operational and sales goals are met.
• Provide training as needed through product knowledge and expertise.
• Receive, prepare, weigh, finish, slice, price, package, merchandise, and stock product as needed.
• Maintain proper department conditions including shelf, case, sales floor, backroom, freezer, and cooler.
• Maintain inventory and order adequate product as assigned.
• Operate, clean, and maintain equipment, tools, and workstations.
• Build relationships with and educate customers in order to create sales.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous perishable foods handling and preparation experience preferred.
• Previous cake decorating experience preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate a passion for food through interactive sales techniques.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, ability to prioritize, and follow-through.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to learn and utilize computer applications.
• Ability to operate within company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule in accordance with the needs of the store.
• Must project a clean and professional appearance.
• Must be a team player with a positive attitude and businesslike conduct.

Reporting to department management, the Cake Decorator builds a reputation for ultimate service in guest relations by executing all decorating tasks including special orders and wedding cakes while maintaining food safety procedures and product availability. Partnering with the bakery team, this role ensures consistent, high-quality products that give every guest occasion special meaning.

Primary Duties

• Acknowledge, greet, and engage guests upon entering the department.
• Maintain a positive atmosphere, spirit, and morale within the department.
• Support and execute against division concepts and programs.
• Ensure quality and consistent product availability and solutions for guests.
• Perform duties following Bakery Food Safety Procedures and Sanitation Schedule.
• Perform all decorating tasks including special orders and wedding cakes according to department policy.
• Assist in break-out and dishwashing as needed.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in cake decorating.
• Current food safety certification required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced but efficient and controlled manner.
• Ability to accept supervisory coaching related to performance, work habits, and attitude.
• Ability to function as a team member and get along with others.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position including standing, bending, lifting, and walking.
• Must be flexible to work various hours and shifts including weekends and holidays.

Sitting at the intersection of content strategy and regulatory compliance, the Cake Decorator shapes communication projects for diverse audiences by overseeing production timelines, digital asset management, and cross-functional collaboration. Operating across internal teams and outside vendors, this role ensures all deliverables meet brand standards, healthcare literacy guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Duties

• Write and edit various communication projects and oversee production for a variety of audiences.
• Work closely with internal teams and outside vendors to meet agreed-upon project timelines.
• Collaborate with digital strategy team, evaluate web content, and ensure relevant information is organized and presented with the user in mind.
• Ensure all project deliverables are factually accurate, consistent with brand voice, and meet standards for simple language and healthcare literacy.
• Understand relevant regulations and ensure all communications adhere to regulatory requirements and compliance review.
• Maintain the digital asset library and provide concise project updates and progress reports for all assigned projects.
• Participate on cross-functional teams, providing communication recommendations and maintaining collaborative relationships.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare or Medicare Advantage categories preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of standard English usage along with conventions of advertising, marketing, editorial, and digital writing.
• Proficient in MS Office suite including PowerPoint.
• Experience using Workfront or other project management platform preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and demonstrate excellent organizational skills under deadline pressure.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines consistently without sacrificing quality.

A key member of the corporate communications team, the Cake Decorator leads internal communications including executive messages, employee newsletters, and event logistics to advance enterprise goals. Collaborating across departments and with senior-level executives, this role manages communications calendars and community relations strategies that keep employees informed and engaged.

Functions

• Provide communications support to help drive the success of individual projects and enterprise goals.
• Write and edit internal communications including executive messages, talking points, quarterly employee newsletter, weekly business updates, and presentations.
• Upload news, communication, and other material to internal websites and digital screens.
• Support and manage logistics for company events such as Town Hall, leadership meetings, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Support a community relations program and its related strategies.
• Manage communications calendar and other calendars across a variety of functions.
• Work with senior-level executives on key plans and projects, managing deadlines and timelines.

Professional Experience

• Experience in combined corporate communication, public relations, social media, and related fields.
• Superior written and verbal communications and PowerPoint skills, plus intermediate graphic design skills.
• Proven track record of writing engaging and relevant internal and external communications.
• Experience interacting with C-suite or high-level leadership preferred.
• High proficiency in Office 365, experience with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop preferred.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing needs, and shift attention quickly to meet urgent deadlines.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at building relationships across roles and personalities.

Consistent visibility in German and European media depends on the Cake Decorator, who drafts and distributes press releases, media pitches, and reports while building journalist relationships and managing digital platforms across multiple channels. Based within the Global and European Communications team, this role supports media relations, public events, and GDPR-compliant team operations that advance open society advocacy goals.

Accountabilities

• Draft, edit, and distribute content such as press releases, media pitches, op-eds, fact sheets, and reports.
• Support programs in securing visibility at public events by commissioning and coordinating the production of identity material.
• Build relationships with journalists, identify and pitch promising stories, respond to press inquiries, and maintain media lists and outreach logs.
• Support the organization and coordination of media relations including interviews, media briefs, and public events.
• Manage digital platforms and content including uploading and reviewing material, supporting campaigns, and providing analytics.
• Support routine team operations including updates in content management, licensing, contracting, and coordination tasks in compliance with GDPR frameworks.

Background and Experience

• Three to five years of experience in communications with a focus on media outreach including digital media.
• Excellent writing, verbal, and editing abilities in German and English.
• Familiarity with communications and social media strategies especially for German and European audiences.
• Experience managing high-visibility social media accounts on multiple platforms preferably in a multinational organization.
• Effective management of multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships within teams and across programs and departmental units.
• Commitment to advocacy work for civil society and open society values.