How to hire a bakery decorator

How to hire a bakery decorator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bakery decorator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bakery decorator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bakery decorator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your bakery decorator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a bakery decorator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A bakery decorator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bakery decorators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of bakery decorators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Bakery Decorator	Description	Hourly rate
   Bakery Decorator	Painting and coating workers paint and coat, often with machines, a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and ceramics.	$12-24
   Cake Decorator	A cake decorator is responsible for designing cakes for special occasions, following the clients' specifications and special requests. Cake decorators directly communicate with the client for their orders, suggesting decorations based on the event's theme, and delivering the item securely... Show more	$10-20

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Bakery Products
   • Food Safety
   • Customer Service

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage self-checkout POS terminals for purchase accuracy.
   • Maintain cleanliness and area sanitation in accordance with company practices and regulatory requirements.
   • Operate and maintain ovens, proofers, mixers, and fryers to guarantee the production of quality goods.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bakery decorator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A bakery decorator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, bakery decorators' average salary in georgia is 47% less than in arizona.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bakery decorators 50% less than senior-level bakery decorators.
   • Certifications. A bakery decorator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a bakery decorator's salary.

   Average bakery decorator salary

   $35,828yearly

   $17.23 hourly rate

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   Entry-level bakery decorator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a bakery decorator job description

   A good bakery decorator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a bakery decorator job description:

   Bakery decorator job description example

   WHO WE ARE
   
   T&C is a family-owned company that builds authentic relationships one interaction at a time through consistent commitment to heartfelt service, relating to people as people (not numbers) and by selling the freshest, highest-quality products available. We have a deep passion for food and people and are always looking for service-minded individuals of all backgrounds to join our community.
   
   WHO YOU ARE
   
   You are genuine and authentic in your interactions both with your customers and co-workers. You thrive in a team environment, take your responsibilities seriously, and always consider the customer in your decisions. You see richness and strength in a diverse workforce and treat others with respect to create a place of belonging for all. You care about your community and the environment. Pursuing knowledge in order to add value and grow is your idea of fun. Oh, and you love food!
   
   WHAT WE OFFER (IN ADDITION TO BEING A FUN PLACE TO WORK)
   
   We have a highly competitive benefits package ($5-$19 weekly medical premiums), vacation/sick time, paid holidays, premium pay rates, an Employee Assistance Program, a discount on virtually everything in our markets, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing and a pension, scholarship program and an employee referral bonus program. Whoa! That's a lot of great stuff!
   
   THE SMALL PRINT WE WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF
   
   T&C is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other applicable characteristic protected by law. We invite women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. T&C is a drug-free workplace. All final applicants for employment will be required to successfully pass a drug screening before they are eligible for employment. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.
   
   If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can thrive in this role, we'd love to learn more about you.
   
   A TYPICAL DAY WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING . . .
   
   * Providing excellent customer service by answering lots of questions, preparing product, and fulfilling special orders.
   * Creating, building and decorating unique high end cakes for all occasions.
   * Ensuring that products are fresh, rotated, stocked and beautifully merchandised.
   * Operating a variety of equipment and cool tools like air brushes and specialized printers.
   * Maintaining the department so that it is clean, enticing and safe.
   * Supporting and following all safety and security policies and our sustainability programs.
   * Demonstrating an attitude of service to co-workers by lending a hand and working cohesively.
   * Operating within the Company's Core Values and Company Brand (don't worry, we'll tell you all about this).
   
   THIS JOB MIGHT BE FOR YOU IF . . .
   
   * You have decorated cakes before (with frosting stained fingers to prove it) & are up on the latest trends.
   * Your favorite show is Ace of Cakes, you have an eye for art and a stomach for sweets.
   * You have an insatiable appetite for providing outstanding customer service with a patient, level-headed and cool under pressure, positive attitude.
   * You have enthusiasm for making cakes fun, creative and special with an attention to detail that will show.
   * You can work independently to carry out department tasks in a timely and accurate manner, but also thrive as a team player who can build relationships with a diverse group of people.
   * You show up committed to work hard and have the ability to turn vision into creation.
   * You communicate clearly, you listen attentively and you are comfortable asking questions in order to determine the best solution.
   * You are flexible to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays. After all this is retail and we are open every day except for Christmas Day.
   * You are at least 18 years old and have the physical ability to lift and carry 50lbs (frosting is heavy), have excellent manual dexterity and can bend, stoop, twist, reach and stand for long periods of time.
   
   Entry Level Compensation
   
   USD $23.95/Hr.
   
   Maximum Compensation
   
   USD $24.95/Hr.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right bakery decorator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with bakery decorators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit bakery decorators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bakery decorator job on Zippia to find and recruit bakery decorator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit bakery decorators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bakery decorator

   Once you've found the bakery decorator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new bakery decorator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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