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What does a bakery associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a bakery associate do

A bakery associate is responsible for assisting bakery chefs in producing baked goods and pastries, organizing the stock, maintaining the cleanliness of the storage area, and processing customers' orders and payments. Bakery associates monitor the inventory and request bakery ingredients and supplies from trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They also pitch on recommending promotional campaigns and research on current bakery trends to update the menu, meeting public demands to increase sales and revenues. A bakery associate should have excellent communication and analytical skills to respond to customers' inquiries and operate the cash register.

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Bakery associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real bakery associate resumes:

  • Manage and complete sales transactions via POS register system.
  • Handle cash, check, WIC check, credit card and other card transactions.
  • Prepare delivery orders for other PCC stores.
  • Brainstorm new recipes and culinary creations to serve in in-store retail.
  • Work with equipment such as ovens, slicers, and wrapping equipment.
  • Apply toppings to bread, run divider, assure quality of product.
  • Take orders using POS system and prepare quality food to customers' satisfaction.
  • Operate commercial mixers, ovens, bread slicers, food wrappers, and scales.
  • Operate cash register such as cash, check, and credit transactions as well as WIC.
  • Maintain a clean kitchen by doing dishes, washing out mixers and mopping the floor every night.
  • Labele, package and stock retail bakery items as well as mixing scones according to PCC recipes.
  • Operate a cash register to check out customer groceries and answer questions customers have about their membership plan.
  • Operate and maintain ovens, proofers, mixers, and fryers to guarantee the production of quality goods.
  • Bag groceries, hourly floor sweeps, collect shopping carts, assist customers with computer rewards program registration.
  • Work in conjunction with the bakers, decorators, and packaging staff to ensure efficiency in the bakery.

Bakery associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 45% of Bakery Associates are proficient in Customer Service, Donuts, and Food Preparation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Dexterity, and Near vision.

We break down the percentage of Bakery Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 45%

    Baked goods, decorated cakes/cupcakes, organized and controlled inventory, kept bakery clean, delivered quality customer service.

  • Donuts, 16%

    Baked a variety of different donuts and iced/glazed them

  • Food Preparation, 10%

    Assisted customers in general concerns- Inventory control- General food preparation tasks

  • Bakery Products, 7%

    Directed and coordinated activities involved with production, sale and distribution of bakery products.

  • Safety Regulations, 4%

    Followed all safety regulations when handling equipment.

  • Groceries, 2%

    Operated a cash register to check out customer groceries and answer questions customers had about their membership plan.

"customer service," "donuts," and "food preparation" are among the most common skills that bakery associates use at work. You can find even more bakery associate responsibilities below, including:

All bakery associate skills

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Compare different bakery associates

Bakery associate vs. Kitchen staff

The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.

The annual salary of kitchen staff is $853 higher than the average salary of bakery associates.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both bakery associate and kitchen staff positions are skilled in customer service, food preparation, and pos.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a bakery associate are more likely to require skills like "donuts," "bakery products," "safety regulations," and "groceries." On the other hand, a job as a kitchen staff requires skills like "food handling," "cleanliness," "sanitation standards," and "quality food." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Kitchen staff really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $30,914. Comparatively, bakery associates tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $30,578.kitchen staff tend to reach similar levels of education than bakery associates. In fact, kitchen staff are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Bakery associate vs. Kitchen helper

Kitchen helpers perform various kitchen tasks in restaurants, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Their duties and responsibilities include assisting cooks in the preparation of meal ingredients, helping other staff with unloading food items from delivery trucks, and washing and drying the utensils, dishes, and cookware. Kitchen helpers are also responsible for removing and replacing garbage bags and storing ingredients and food supplies in compliance with food safety standards. The requirements for this position may include a high school diploma, a license in food handling, and knowledge of food safety standards.

Kitchen helper positions earn lower pay than bakery associate roles. They earn a $3,167 lower salary than bakery associates per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Bakery associates and kitchen helpers both require similar skills like "customer service," "food preparation," and "groceries" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, bakery associate responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "donuts," "bakery products," "safety regulations," and "pos." Meanwhile, a kitchen helper has duties that require skills in areas such as "food handling," "food service," "wash dishes," and "cleanliness." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Kitchen helpers may earn a lower salary than bakery associates, but kitchen helpers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $27,239. On the other hand, bakery associates receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,578.In general, kitchen helpers achieve similar levels of education than bakery associates. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bakery associate vs. Deli clerk

A deli clerk is responsible for providing healthy food recommendations to the customers, assisting them with their inquiries, and providing special offers. Deli clerks' duties include maintaining the highest sanitation procedures within the working area, updating the customers with the products' promotions, updating displays regularly, researching the latest market trends for product recommendations, and adhering to the company's safety standards and regulations. A deli clerk must have impeccable customer service and communication skills to ensure customer satisfaction while meeting the company's objectives and sales goals.

An average deli clerk eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of bakery associates. The difference in salaries amounts to deli clerks earning a $3,277 higher average salary than bakery associates.Using the responsibilities included on bakery associates and deli clerks resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer service," "groceries," and "stock shelves.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, bakery associates are more likely to have skills like "donuts," "food preparation," "bakery products," and "safety regulations." But a deli clerk is more likely to have skills like "help support," "basic math," "excellent guest," and "hot food."

Deli clerks earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $31,678. Comparatively, bakery associates have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $30,578.Most deli clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to bakery associates. For example, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bakery associate vs. Food clerk

Food clerks are skilled employees who work either in grocery stores or supermarkets to assist customers with their food needs. In grocery stores, food clerks are required to scan food items for their customers and process their purchases as well as ensure that they have found everything they needed. They must assist in the store's inventory management by organizing and storing food merchandise in the backroom. Food clerks must also use their product knowledge to assist customers with questions and maintain customer satisfaction.

Food clerks tend to earn a higher pay than bakery associates by an average of $1,004 per year.While their salaries may vary, bakery associates and food clerks both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "food preparation," and "groceries. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "donuts," "bakery products," "safety regulations," and "oven temperatures" are skills that commonly show up on bakery associate resumes. On the other hand, food clerks use skills like wine, basic math, taking care, and store shelves on their resumes.The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for food clerks, with average annual pay of $33,240. Comparatively, the highest bakery associate annual salary comes from the retail industry.food clerks reach similar levels of education compared to bakery associates, in general. The difference is that they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of bakery associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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