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Baking Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Merchandiser-Personal Car

Pekin, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Baking quality bread products is what we do, but when it comes to a career, we know you need more ... associates. Key responsibilities include stocking products on shelves and in displays, as well as ...

Merchandiser-Personal Car

Pekin, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Baking quality bread products is what we do, but when it comes to a career, we know you need more ... associates. Key responsibilities include stocking products on shelves and in displays, as well as ...

An Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or pastry & baking, and/or 3-5 years of experience with an emphasis on quality production. * Basic understanding of professional baking and pastries and food ...

Merchandiser-Personal Car

Pekin, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Baking quality bread products is what we do, but when it comes to a career, we know you need more ... associates. Key responsibilities include stocking products on shelves and in displays, as well as ...

An Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or pastry amp; baking, and/or 3-5 years of experience with an emphasis on quality production. * Basic understanding of professional baking and pastries and food ...

Cook

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$16.98 - $22.21/hr

Associate assistance program * Employee discounts * Referral program * Early access to earned wages ... baking and boiling as a critical part of your role. * Adheres to all sanitation and food safety ...

Showing results 41-60

Baking Associate information

What is the difference between Baking Associate vs Pastry Chef?

AspectBaking AssociatePastry Chef
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certifications often preferredFormal culinary training or pastry arts certification often required
Work EnvironmentBakery, grocery store, or food production facilityBakery, restaurant, hotel, or pastry shop
Job ResponsibilitiesAssist in baking, preparing ingredients, maintaining cleanlinessDesigning, creating, and decorating baked goods; supervising baking staff

The main difference between a Baking Associate and a Pastry Chef lies in their responsibilities and experience level. Baking Associates typically support baking operations with basic tasks, while Pastry Chefs lead the creative and supervisory aspects of pastry production. Both roles require knowledge of baking techniques, but Pastry Chefs usually have more formal training and experience.

What is a baking associate?

Baking Associates are entry-level professionals who assist in the preparation, production, and presentation of baked goods such as bread, pastries, and cakes. They typically work in bakeries, supermarkets, or food production facilities, helping with mixing ingredients, monitoring baking times, ensuring product quality, and maintaining cleanliness. Baking Associates may also package finished products and assist customers, depending on the workplace. This role is essential for supporting bakers and ensuring smooth bakery operations.

What qualifications do I need to work as a baking associate?

To work as a baking associate, employers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior experience in food preparation or baking is beneficial, and good attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are important skills. Some positions may also require food safety certifications such as ServSafe.

What are some common challenges baking associates face during peak hours, and how can they effectively manage them?

Baking Associates often encounter high-pressure situations during peak hours, such as early mornings or holidays when demand surges. Managing multiple tasks—like preparing dough, monitoring oven times, and ensuring product quality—while maintaining cleanliness and safety can be challenging. Effective time management, clear communication with team members, and staying organized are key to success. Many bakeries also encourage cross-training, so associates can help each other and adapt quickly to changing priorities during busy periods.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a baking associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Baking Associate, you need a solid understanding of baking techniques, ingredient handling, and food safety, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and sometimes a food handler's certification. Familiarity with commercial baking equipment, mixers, ovens, and point-of-sale systems is typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are crucial soft skills that help maintain consistency and efficiency. These skills ensure the production of high-quality baked goods, adherence to safety standards, and smooth bakery operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Baking jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Baking jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Baking Associate jobs in Illinois? For Baking Associate jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Baking Associate jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Baking Associate jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Baking Associate jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Baking Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Baking Associate job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Chef Instructor, Pastry (Sur La Table)

CSC Generation

Skokie, IL

$17.50 - $18.62/hr

Part-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers, driving digital growth, or providing vital behind-the-scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food. 

Position Overview
As a Chef Instructor, Pastry at Sur La Table, you are the in-store expert and advocate for all things baking and pastry arts.  You deliver #bestincenter service, a company-wide standard for excellence in service, by sharing specialized knowledge in pastry techniques, baking fundamentals, and personalized instruction that supports all company initiatives. The Chef Instructor, Pastry plays a key role in inspiring a love for baking while driving sales of bakeware, mixers, and decorating tools through hands-on pastry classes and engaging culinary instruction.
 
Key Responsibilities
Customer Experience & Brand Representation
·        Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty. 
·        Deliver an exceptional in-store culinary experience focused on pastry and baking classes that reflects Sur La Table’s passion for food, teaching, and high standards, while following the provided recipes and game plans to ensure consistency and quality.
·        Communicate technical concepts and advanced pastry skills in a clear, encouraging, and approachable manner.
·        Maintains expertise by staying current on products, actively engaging in available training, and independently seeking out additional resources.
Sales & Business Performance
·        Drive sales by upholding kitchen standards, encouraging second class sign-ups through strong customer engagement, and promoting retail items used or featured in class.
·        Deliver class revenue goals by ensuring high enrollment, positive reviews, and guest return rates.
·        Consistently meet or exceed culinary program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews.
Team Engagement & Store Support
·        Assist in setting up and breakdown of classes including organizing mise en place, prepping ingredients, and cleaning workstations.
·        Clean and sanitize dishes and equipment promptly to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
·        Assist with restocking, organizing, and maintaining kitchen supplies and tools to support overall store readiness.
 
Operations & Compliance
·        Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
·        Properly handle all tools, ingredients, and kitchen equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
·        Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
·        May handle liquor, wine, and beer in compliance with state and location alcohol regulations, company policies, including enforcing age restrictions.
·        Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
·        Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws.  Accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy.
·        Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
 
Physical Requirements
·        Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
·        Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
·        Ability to move about the store directing class participants while selling to customers and retrieving merchandise from stockroom or sales floor.
·        The capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
·        Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch to demonstrate, retrieve and/or replenish merchandise and/or cooking equipment.
·        Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise to chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice and/or demonstrate other techniques.
·        Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs.
·        Ability to ascend/descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise.
·        Ability to operate a computer, POS system, keyboards, merchandise scanners and mouse to accomplish work.
·        Available to work between 12 and 16 hours per week, with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. While this is the minimum availability, scheduled hours may differ based on business needs.
·        Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand.
·        Ability to work in a variable kitchen environment included but not limited to open flames, hot surfaces, temperature variations, various food allergens both physical and airborne.
 
Qualifications & Experience
·        Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment.
·        A degree in culinary arts is preferred; however, candidates with extensive culinary experience and demonstrated technical proficiency will be considered in lieu of formal education.
·        1-2 years of kitchen operations experience.
·        Valid Food Manager Certification.
·        Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
·        Passion for community engagement and providing exceptional customer experiences.
Benefits Include:
401K after 90 days; must be 21 years of age
Employee Discount
Employee Assistance Program
The CSC family of brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws.  
 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
 
Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does not comply with applicable Washington state law, please notify us by sending an email to WACandidates@cscshared.com. 
 
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 
  
The CSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact hrbenefits@cscshared.com.  

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.


CSC Generation logo

About CSC Generation

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CSC Generation is a multi-brand technology platform based in Merrillville, IN, United States. The organization operates in the retail sector and utilizes technology to save retail companies from going into bankruptcy, while also offering consumers the ability to lease their purchases. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Justin Yoshimura, CSC Generation has leveraged its proprietary technology and customer database to quickly revitalize distressed retail brands. The company's mission revolves around the concepts of reinvention and innovation as it aims to redefine traditional retail and direct-to-consumer models in today's digital age. Notably, the company has, to date, acquired several brands such as DirectBuy, Killion, and most notably, Z Gallerie, growing fast within the e-commerce sector.

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Merrillville, IN, US

Year founded

2016