Baker - Plant baker

This occupation is found in manufacturing and retail sectors. Employers range in size from small to large.

Bakers may work in a craft bakery, plant bakery or retail outlet. A craft baker works in a production unit producing hand crafted bakery products. They supply their own retail outlets or sell direct to third party wholesale customers. A plant baker produces bakery products using large scale production methods, to supply food and retail outlets. They work in a large-scale production facility, with a high level of automation in a continuous process. A retail baker is involved in both production and shop floor activities. They produce, bake off and display products for direct sale to customers.

This is a core and option apprenticeship standard. Apprentices must be trained and assessed against the core and one option. The options are:

• Option 1. Craft baker
• Option 2. Plant baker
• Option 3. Retail baker

The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce or bake-off food safe bakery products and package and label them to specification. Bakery products may be bread, pastries or confectionery. Bread includes buns/rolls, enriched doughs and loaves. Pastries include croissants, danish pastries, puff pastries and tarts. Whilst confectionery includes cakes, cupcakes, muffins and swiss rolls. Depending on the type of bakery, bakers may produce one product or a range of bakery products. They use a range of tools and equipment, which they clean and check. It is important that they complete bakery documentation/records, for example compliance checks. They also contribute to material and stock control, maintaining the production environment, and product and process improvement.

Producing a wide range of varied products is a bigger part of the craft baker role. This requires scaling up/down of recipes and enhanced finishing of products. Working at scale requires plant bakers to operate handovers and conduct production quality assurance/checks. Whilst the retail bakers’ role, includes serving customers and display and replenishment of products.

Bakers may be required to work shifts and unsociable hours. It is often a physically demanding environment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation may interact with other bakers and people from other teams and functions. This will depend on the type, size and structure of the bakery. Other teams and functions may include hygiene, maintenance, quality, warehousing, distribution and other retail sections. Typically, they report to a manager. They may also have contact with external personnel such as suppliers, auditors and regulators. In a retail environment, customer contact is a key part of the role.

An employee in this occupation is responsible for working by themselves or as part of a team under supervision. They must produce safe bakery products to specification. Deadlines, productivity, efficiency, hygiene and environmental requirements must be met. They must ensure the health and safety of self and others. This includes the safe operation and cleaning of tools and equipment. Retail bakers must also meet service expectations and present a professional image of themselves and the company to customers.