Head Pastry Chef & Training Lead

About Pink Panda Group

Pink Panda Group is a proudly Ghanaian-owned bakery and hospitality business with a passion for creating exceptional cakes, pastries and memorable customer experiences.

Our business comprises three distinct operations:

* Pink Panda Bakery: Our flagship bakery specialising in celebration cakes and a variety of baked products.

* Pink Kafe: Our café offering cakes, pastries, desserts and a welcoming dining experience.

* Wonderland by Pink Panda: Our specialist division dedicated to wedding and bespoke celebration cakes.

As we prepare for our next phase of growth, we are seeking an experienced, creative and hands-on pastry professional to elevate our product standards, strengthen our production capabilities and help develop the technical skills of our team.

About the Role

We are looking for a Head Pastry Chef & Training Lead who combines excellent technical pastry skills with strong leadership, creativity and a genuine passion for teaching.

The successful candidate will play an important role in improving product quality and consistency, introducing innovative pastry offerings, standardising production processes and building the capabilities of our existing team.

Beyond day-to-day production, the role will also involve developing and facilitating specialised pastry masterclasses and professional short courses under the Pink Panda brand.

This is an opportunity for a pastry professional who enjoys both creating exceptional products and sharing their knowledge with others.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pastry Production & Quality Excellence

* Oversee pastry production standards across Pink Panda’s operations.

* Ensure consistent product quality, taste, texture, presentation and finishing.

* Develop and implement standardised recipes, production methods and quality control procedures.

* Identify production challenges and implement practical improvements.

* Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and quality assurance.

2. Product Development & Innovation

* Develop and introduce new pastries, desserts and premium baked products.

* Bring expertise in products such as macarons, croissants, Danish pastries, entremets, chocolate desserts and other speciality pastries.

* Create seasonal and themed product collections for key commercial occasions.

* Adapt international pastry techniques to locally available ingredients and Ghanaian market preferences.

* Ensure new products are commercially viable, appropriately costed and suitable for consistent production.

3. Team Training & Skills Development

* Provide structured, hands-on technical training to existing pastry and bakery employees.

* Identify skills gaps and develop practical training programmes.

* Coach employees on recipe accuracy, production techniques, finishing and presentation.

* Develop training manuals, standard recipes and production guides.

* Mentor promising employees and support the development of future team leaders.

* Foster a culture of precision, teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.

4. Pastry Masterclasses & Professional Training

* Design and facilitate specialised pastry masterclasses and short courses.

* Develop practical training programmes based on areas of technical expertise.

* Support curriculum development, course planning and preparation of training materials.

* Collaborate with management to establish a commercially sustainable pastry training programme.

* Deliver engaging, practical learning experiences for participants of different skill levels.

5. Operational Efficiency & Cost Management

* Monitor ingredient usage, production efficiency and wastage.

* Support accurate recipe costing, portion control and inventory management.

* Recommend suitable ingredients, suppliers and equipment.

* Work with management to improve productivity while maintaining quality.

* Ensure efficient use of resources and adherence to production schedules.

Qualifications & Experience

* Minimum of 5 years’ relevant professional pastry experience, preferably in a commercial bakery, pâtisserie, hotel or hospitality establishment.

* Formal training in pastry arts, baking or culinary arts is desirable; equivalent professional experience will be considered.

* Strong technical knowledge of international pastry techniques.

* Demonstrated proficiency in several of the following: laminated doughs, viennoiserie, macarons, entremets, chocolate work, artisan pastries and premium desserts.

* Experience in recipe development, standardisation and quality control.

* Demonstrated ability to train, mentor and supervise pastry production staff.

* Good understanding of food costing, inventory management and food safety.

* Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.

* International work experience is an advantage but not essential.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in someone who:

* Is passionate about pastry craftsmanship and product excellence.

* Is creative, innovative and detail-oriented.

* Enjoys teaching, coaching and developing others.

* Is hands-on and comfortable working in a growing entrepreneurial business.

* Can adapt international pastry techniques to local production realities.

* Understands the importance of cost control and commercial sustainability.

* Is collaborative, culturally adaptable and committed to building lasting technical capabilities.

Remuneration & Benefits

* Monthly Gross Salary: US$1,200–US$1,500 (or GHS equivalent), depending on experience and qualifications.

* Accommodation: Company-provided accommodation, where applicable.

* Relocation Support: Available for selected international candidates.

* Additional Earnings: Performance-based earning opportunities through specialised pastry masterclasses and professional training programmes.

* Professional Development: Opportunity to lead product innovation, develop technical standards and train emerging pastry talent.

* Working Environment: A collaborative, growing Ghanaian business with three complementary operations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

1. An updated CV detailing relevant professional experience.

2. A portfolio showcasing pastry and dessert work, including photographs.

3. A brief description of previous experience in staff training, supervision or product development.

4. Current location and availability

Send applications to: info@pinkpandabakery.com

Email Subject: Application – Head Pastry Chef & Training Lead

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified Ghanaian and international candidates.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in a practical technical assessment as part of the recruitment process.

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