Baker/Central Bake Shop Trainee

Job Description:

Position Summary

Since 1971, MSU Bakers has provided Michigan State University with a wide variety of fresh, made-from-scratch bakery products. It has since grown into a modern production facility staffed by experienced baking professionals and student employees dedicated to quality craftsmanship. MSU Bakers produces hand-decorated cakes, breads, bagels, cookies, and specialty baked goods that are served throughout campus dining locations and enjoyed by the broader Spartan community. The bakery is also known for its popular Spartan-themed products that help celebrate game days, graduations, and other special occasions.

MSU Bakers proudly supports Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS), campus dining operations, university departments, students, families, and the surrounding community by providing high-quality bakery products made with a commitment to consistency, service, and tradition.

Services and products include:

• Made-from-scratch breads and bagels
• Hand-decorated cakes and specialty desserts
• Fresh-baked cookies and pastries
• Spartan-themed baked goods for events and celebrations
• Bakery products supporting campus dining and retail operations

Position Summary: The Baker Trainee supports the daily operations of MSU Bakers by assisting with the preparation, production, finishing, and packaging of fresh bakery products. Working alongside experienced bakers, this position learns commercial baking techniques while helping produce high-quality breads, bagels, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods that serve the Spartan community.

Working with guidance and progressively increasing independence, the Baker Trainee learns to operate bakery equipment, follow recipes and production schedules, maintain food safety and sanitation standards, and perform quality checks to ensure consistency and product excellence. This role requires attention to detail, dependability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to contribute as part of a team dedicated to providing a memorable Spartan dining experience. The Baker Trainee will also work with, support, and train student and on-call employees.

All positions in RHS are designated as critical status. In the event of a university closure, modification, or suspension of operations due to snow or other emergency condition, persons in this position are expected to make all reasonable attempts to report to work as scheduled for the duration of the closure/suspension. If a person has an approved remote work agreement to work a portion of their normally scheduled work hours remotely, they may be called upon to work on-site to serve the MSU community.

Position Duties

• Receives practical training and assists in processing a wide range of bakery products (breads, cakes, cookies, bagels, decorated goods) in a large
  volume/wholesale environment; receives practical training in the use of large volume processing equipment to assure proficiency in setting up and operating the equipment in the production of baked goods along with finishing and decorating of bakery products; assists with scaling ingredients and making up products to produce items that are uniform in size and quality
• Involves taste testing for maintaining quality standards; advises supervisor of recipe variables for FMS correction
• Follows FDA procedures and guidelines
• Performs proper storage techniques to assure efficient handling and eliminates waste and spoilage; follows prescribed standards for cleaning
  equipment and work areas receives practical training in the distribution, arrangement, and delivery of baked goods
• Work with, support, and train student and on-call employees.
• Work in multiple areas within MSU Bakers and Food Stores, as directed, to support production schedules
• Position located in Food Stores
• During the 18-month training program, the schedule changes based on the training program and needs

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from high school or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience is necessary.
• One-year satisfactory baking experience or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience is necessary.
• Standards of personal hygiene consistent with sanitation rules and regulations is necessary.
• Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds is necessary.

Desired Qualifications

• Serve Safe certified
• Retail and cake decorating experience; ability to work in an environment with exposure to allergens (nuts, flours, and latex gloves).
• May require valid operator, chauffeur, or commercial driver’s license(s) with applicable endorsements and medical certificate in order to comply with State of Michigan requirements
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with, get along with, and contribute to the Bakery team
• Ability to repeatedly go into refrigeration and freezer (-7 degrees) to put away products and retrieve ingredients/products
• Ability to work in a team environment to assure delivery of outstanding Spartan experiences for customers and guests

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Work Hours

Days: Typically Sunday-Thursday or Monday-Friday; various days off. Shift Times: Various start times anywhere between 230am and 530am.

Building Location

FOOD STORES

Website

https://careers.msu.edu/

Summary of Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds is necessary.
• Repeated access into walk-in refrigeration and freezer (-7 degrees) to put away products and retrieve ingredients/products.

Bidding eligibility ends July 28, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.