Bakers

Baker
Cake Decorator
Dough Mixer
Mixer
Pastry Chef
Scaler

What is a Baker?

A baker is a skilled professional who prepares a variety of baked goods, including bread, pastries, cakes, and cookies. This craft combines artistry with culinary knowledge, as bakers must be proficient in both the science and techniques of baking. Bakers may work in a variety of settings, ranging from small artisan bakeries to large commercial baking operations. Through their understanding of ingredients such as flour, yeast, sugar, and fats, bakers create products that are not only delicious but also visually appealing. They are often involved in all stages of production, from mixing and kneading dough to baking and decorating finished products. The role requires attention to detail, creativity, and a commitment to quality, as bakers strive to meet both customer preferences and industry standards. In addition to technical skills, bakers often develop recipes and may experiment with flavors, ingredients, and methods, making their work both dynamic and fulfilling.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
  • Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
  • Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
  • Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
  • Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.

Technology Skills

  • Spreadsheet software
    • Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
    • Afcom Datasafe Computer Services FlexiBake
    • Sage 100 ERP
    • SweetWARE SmallPICS
    • TwinPeaks Software Visual Z-Bake
  • Analytical or scientific software
    • Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
    • EGS CALCMENU
    • SweetWARE nutraCoster Professional
  • Data base user interface and query software
    • At Your Service Software CostGuard
    • Barrington Software CookenPro
    • Culinary Software Services ChefTec

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing

    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

  • Food Production

    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Active Learning

    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Coordination

    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Near Vision

    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Oral Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Speech Recognition

    The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    58 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Less than high school diploma
    25 %
  • Some college, no degree
    9 %

Work Activities

  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

    Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

    Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

    Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Evaluate quality of food ingredients or prepared foods.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Load materials into production equipment.
  • Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
  • Inspect food products.

Work Interests

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Projected salary and job growth

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New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

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