Executive Pastry Chef

Executive Pastry Chef Sumter, South Carolina Monday - Friday (Early start) Relocation assistance available Blue Harlan is the recruitment partner to a fantastic hospitality organization in Sumter, SC. We are seeking a talented, creative, and experienced Executive Pastry Chef to lead all pastry, bakery, and dessert production operations. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing daily bakery production, maintaining a fully stocked and visually appealing bakery case, creating desserts for restaurant concepts, and designing custom wedding cakes and specialty desserts for catered events. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate pastry professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys artistic expression through desserts, and has the leadership skills to build and develop a high-performing team. Key Responsibilities Bakery & Dessert Production Prepare and produce a wide variety of pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, desserts, and specialty confections. Maintain a fresh, visually appealing, and fully stocked bakery display throughout daily operations. Develop seasonal offerings and innovative dessert features. Ensure consistency, quality, and presentation standards across all products. Monitor inventory levels and production schedules to meet demand. Restaurant Dessert Program Lead dessert production for restaurant concepts. Coordinate daily and weekly production schedules to support restaurant and catering operations. Partner with culinary leadership on menu development and specialty dessert features. Maintain efficient prep systems and workflow for high-volume production environments. Wedding Cakes & Special Events Design, bake, decorate, and execute custom wedding cakes and specialty event desserts. Conduct consultations and tastings with clients to discuss design concepts and event expectations. Ensure all wedding and event orders are completed accurately and delivered on schedule. Create visually stunning, high-quality dessert presentations for upscale events and celebrations. Leadership & Operations Lead, train, coach, and mentor pastry and bakery team members. Manage daily kitchen operations, production timelines, and workflow. Foster a positive, professional, and collaborative team culture. Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations. Assist with purchasing, inventory management, and cost control initiatives. Maintain high operational and product-quality standards across all areas of the department. Key Requirements 3+ years of leadership experience in a bakery, pastry, or culinary environment preferred. Strong knowledge of baking techniques, pastry production, cake decorating, and dessert execution. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting. Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to work early mornings, weekends, and during peak event seasons. Passion for creativity, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Preferred Qualifications Advanced cake decorating, fondant, and piping skills. Experience in high-volume bakery, restaurant, or catering operations. Menu development and seasonal product creation experience. Demonstrated success training and developing culinary team members. Exceptional attention to detail, presentation, and craftsmanship. What You'll Bring A creative vision for pastry and dessert innovation. Strong operational and production management skills. A commitment to quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction. The ability to inspire and lead a talented pastry team. Engaging culture and excellent benefits!