Head Baker – Kukje Bakery

Location: Daly City, CA 94015
Salary: $100,000 – $130,000 a year (Negotiable DOE)
Job Type: Full-time

Full Job Description

Kukje Bakery is a brand-new artisan bakery with no previous ownership or legacy menu, seeking a Head Baker to build and lead our entire baking program from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to create the menu, develop original recipes, and define the creative direction of a bakery focused on French pastries, viennoiserie, and desserts.

Responsibilities

Design and develop the full bakery menu from scratch
Create original recipes using French techniques
Lead daily production and establish systems and standards
Hire, train, and manage bakery staff
Oversee ordering, inventory, and cost control
Maintain quality, consistency, and food safety

Qualifications

10+ years professional baking experience
Strong expertise in French pastry, artisan bread, and viennoiserie
Proven leadership experience
Ability to build systems and workflows from the ground up

Benefits

$100K–$130K salary (DOE, negotiable)
Full creative control and leadership
Opportunity to shape a new bakery brand from day one

How to Apply

Apply with resume + portfolio (strongly preferred)

Kukje Bakery’s Head Baker role presents a compelling chance for an experienced pastry professional to shape an artisan program from day one, with full creative control, leadership of the team, and a clear focus on French pastry and viennoiserie. The generous salary range of $100k–$130k is competitive for the Bay Area and reflects the seniority and responsibility expected, while the negotiable DOE language offers room for candidates to secure appropriate compensation. Building a menu and systems from scratch rewards creativity and craftsmanship, and the emphasis on original recipes and French techniques will appeal to bakers passionate about savoir-faire and artisanal traditions. The position also demands strong operational skills - inventory, cost control, and staff development - so it suits someone ready to combine kitchen mastery with management. Daly City’s location near San Francisco adds regional appeal and access to a sophisticated market for quality pastries. For candidates with 10+ years’ experience who value creative ownership and operational challenge, this is a rare opportunity to define a brand and leave a lasting culinary legacy.

Head Baker – Kukje Bakery