Bakery Operator

Nothing Bundt Cakes•Janesville, WI

About The Position

The Nothing Bundt Cakes Bakery Manager/Lead Operator directs the team and day-to-day bakery operation, including the guest experience, cake production, brand and merchandise presentation, work environment, profit-and-loss management, and inventory control. The role aims to drive sales and profitability while consistently providing high-quality cakes, a welcoming environment, and superior guest service. The operator exemplifies the company’s core values and serves as a culture carrier, building team commitment to guests and the brand while bringing joy to the bakery and the community. The position leads hiring, training, coaching, performance management, delegation, and cross-training. It also oversees bakery opening and closing, cash handling, special-order fulfillment, sales and production planning, scheduling, inventory, food safety, operating standards, expenses, payroll and reporting, and community outreach. The operator must be ready to perform bakery roles hands-on as business needs dictate. The work schedule may include various shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on business demands. Employees at a franchised bakery are employed by its franchise owner/operator, not by Nothing Bundt Cakes Corporate.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
1–3 years of leadership experience managing teams, business operations, and the guest experience in retail, hospitality, or food service.
Demonstrated success hiring and developing teams, creating a superior service environment, and achieving financial objectives.
Experience creating productivity goals, inventory par levels, and team schedules, and managing costs.
Foodservice safety training certificate, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and comfort learning new technologies.
Understanding of basic retail math and profit-and-loss principles, including factors that drive sales and profitability.
Ability to interpret and analyze business and financial data, identify strengths and improvement opportunities, and determine action plans.
Strong guest focus, interpersonal skills, and ability to engage, empower, and motivate a team and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to delegate duties, communicate clear expectations, direct others’ work, and manage performance.
Strong organization, resourcefulness, prioritization, and follow-up skills.
Strong problem-solving skills, including assessing situations, identifying issues, developing solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Learning agility and a desire to grow and excel.
Flexibility to work various shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on changing business demands.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary education.
Experience serving as a strong brand ambassador in the local community.

Responsibilities

Prioritize the guest experience, model superior guest engagement, and foster a positive work environment.
Recruit and select team members, communicate performance expectations, and ensure appropriate training.
Engage regularly with team members to understand workload and progress, address challenges, and adjust plans as needed.
Coach and develop the team, provide constructive feedback, conduct quarterly reviews, and address performance issues promptly.
Assign responsibilities to the Assistant Manager and support ongoing leadership of the bakery team and operation.
Identify future leaders and cross-train team members to build capabilities and maintain adequate bakery coverage.
Maintain hands-on knowledge of bakery roles and perform them as business needs dictate.
Facilitate bakery opening and closing, including balancing cash drawers and making bank deposits.
Manage special orders received via web and email for individual guests and corporate accounts, including large or complex orders and deliveries.
Create and communicate weekly sales productivity goals, cake production plans, and team schedules; adjust coverage as business trends change.
Set inventory par levels based on production demand and sales forecasts, monitor stock, process weekly supply orders, and conduct monthly inventory.
Uphold product, service, bakery environment, and visual merchandising standards; ensure operations meet food and health safety standards and company policies.
Manage controllable expenses, including labor, cost of goods sold, maintenance, and supplies, to maximize profitability.
Perform administrative duties, including payroll processing, sales, labor and product inventory reporting, and basic accounting procedures.
Lead community outreach, participate in brand-aligned events, and respond appropriately to requests for company contributions.
Coordinate special event participation with local businesses, schools, and community organizers.