Executive Pastry Sous Chef

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market is Metro Detroit’s destination for premium produce, meats, seafood, and specialty foods. We pride ourselves on fresh ingredients, chef-driven offerings, and attentive customer service.

Role Snapshot – Executive Pastry Sous Chef

Reporting to the Executive Pastry Chef, you will lead our pastry and bakery operations—developing products that wow guests, supervising daily production, and mentoring a talented pastry team. Your craftsmanship and leadership will ensure that every tart, cake, and viennoiserie meets Joe’s uncompromising standards for quality, consistency, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Production

  • Partner with the Executive Pastry Chef on seasonal pastry menus, specialty items, and large-format desserts.

  • Create detailed prep schedules and station assignments to meet daily and catering demands.

  • Execute advanced techniques—laminated doughs, mousse entremets, chocolate tempering, sugar décor—in both retail and wholesale volumes.

Quality & Consistency

  • Enforce recipe accuracy, portion control, and presentation guidelines.

  • Conduct daily tastings and visual inspections to guarantee texture, flavor, and appearance are flawless.

Food Safety & Sanitation

  • Champion ServSafe and HACCP protocols; maintain strict allergen-control procedures.

  • Oversee receiving, storage, labeling, and rotation of all pastry ingredients.

Team Development

  • Hire, train, and coach pastry cooks and bakers; lead skill-building workshops on new techniques.

  • Foster a collaborative, meticulous, and positive kitchen culture.

Financial Stewardship

  • Monitor ingredient and labor costs; implement waste-reduction and yield-optimization practices.

  • Assist with inventory counts, vendor negotiations, and purchase orders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Coordinate with savory kitchen, butchery, and front-of-house teams to fulfill special orders and catering events.

  • Anticipate guest preferences and market trends (e.g., gluten-free, plant-based, regional flavors) to drive incremental sales.

What You Bring

  • 5+ years progressive pastry experience, including 2+ years in a sous-chef or supervisory role.

  • Expertise in traditional and contemporary pastry, viennoiserie, bread, chocolate, and sugar artistry.

  • Proven ability to lead teams, meet tight production timelines, and control costs.

  • ServSafe Manager (or equivalent) certification and deep knowledge of food-allergen management.

  • Creativity, precision, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Why Joe’s

  • Competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits.

  • A chef-led culture that champions innovation, craftsmanship, and professional growth.

  • Access to exceptional local produce and specialty ingredients to fuel your pastry vision.

Our Commitment to DEI

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market fosters a workplace where every individual—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability—is respected, heard, and empowered to succeed.

EEO Statement

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Ready to elevate Metro Detroit’s sweetest kitchen? Apply today and bring your pastry leadership to Joe’s.