Head Baker

Head Baker — World-Class Viennoiserie & Pastry Zaman Coffee House Bakery | Syracuse, NY | Full-Time | $65,000-$85,000/year About Us Zaman Coffee House Bakery is a premium artisan bakery opening in Syracuse, NY, producing world-class laminated pastries, classical European desserts, custom celebration cakes, and authentic Middle Eastern desserts. We use the finest ingredients and operate on a complete professional equipment line We are building this bakery to compete with the best viennoiserie programs in the country. We're looking for a Head Baker to lead the technical craft. The Role The Head Baker owns the technical excellence of our production. You will be the master of the craft, leading our laminated dough program (croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish, fusion items), developing recipes, training staff, and ensuring every product that leaves our bakery is genuinely world-class. This is not a grocery bakery role. This is not a frozen-dough operation. This is a from-scratch, premium-ingredient, technique-driven bakery where the Head Baker's skill directly determines our reputation. What You'll Do Lead daily production of premium laminated pastries (croissants, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins, Danish, kouign-amann, and Middle Eastern fusion variants) Execute the full 3-day croissant production cycle: mix, lamination, retard, proof, bake Develop new recipes including French classics and Middle Eastern-French fusion concepts (pistachio rose croissants, kunafa Danish, halawa cookie rolls, baklava cruffins) Train production staff on technique, with zero tolerance for recipe deviation Maintain quality control across all products — every croissant should pass the shatter test, every cake should meet our standards Operate and maintain Bongard equipment Manage premium ingredient inventory including Échiré butter, organic flours, and specialty Middle Eastern items Collaborate with ownership on production scheduling and operational decisions Continuously improve the craft through professional development, industry connections, and recipe testing

What We're Looking For Required:

5+ years professional bakery experience with significant viennoiserie / laminated dough work Demonstrated mastery of croissant production from scratch (not frozen dough) Formal pastry training (Le Cordon Bleu, CIA, ICE, French apprenticeship, or equivalent) OR equivalent demonstrated mastery through professional experience Deep understanding of dough fermentation, lamination science, and bake-off technique Experience leading production at 100+ units/day or scaling to that level ServSafe Food Manager Certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days) Physical capability for early morning shifts and 6+ hours standing Reliable transportation; willingness to work 5:00 AM start times

Strongly Preferred:

French-trained or French-bakery-experienced Experience with Bongard equipment specifically Working knowledge of Middle Eastern desserts (kunafa, baklava, ma'amoul) and Turkish cakes Experience training and managing production staff Familiarity with halal-friendly production protocols Interest in recipe innovation and fusion concepts The right candidate is: Obsessive about craft. You read flour labels. You probe butter temperatures. You can taste the difference between Échiré and Plugrá blindfolded. Disciplined about recipes. You follow specifications precisely and demand the same from your team. Improvisation belongs in jazz, not viennoiserie. Hungry for excellence. You've watched Cédric Grolet videos for fun. You've eaten croissants in Paris and remember exactly how they were different. A teacher. You can break down complex technique into steps your team can execute, and you take pride in developing other bakers. What We Offer Competitive salary : $65,000-$85,000 base depending on experience and demonstrated skill Relocation Package Performance bonuses tied to quality and growth metrics (typically 10-20% of base) Paid time off Health insurance contribution Real career growth : Path to Executive Pastry Chef, Production Director, or Long term incentives Premium tools and ingredients : We give you what you need to do world-class work Recipe development authority : Your fingerprints on what we build. Cultural alignment : We serve a diverse community including Syracuse's Muslim population. We respect the traditions behind the food we make. What This Role Is NOT Not a frozen-dough warm-and-serve operation Not a grocery store bakery promotion Not a corporate chain with restrictive recipes Not a place where good enough is good enough If you're looking for predictable corporate work with set procedures and no creative input — this isn't the right fit. If you're looking to build something exceptional and have your work recognized — let's talk.