The posting
About Kayu Cafe
Kayu Cafe is located in Gili Trawangan. We are recognized for our artisan bakery, specialty coffee, and warm, relaxed atmosphere. We believe that great bakery products should not only be delicious, but also consistent, visually appealing, and supported by strong operational systems.
We are looking for a Head Baker who possesses strong technical skills and is also capable of leading a team and managing bakery operations end-to-end. This role is ideal for someone who not only enjoys creating high-quality baked goods, but also takes interest in building teams, systems, and more efficient operations.
About the Head Baker Position
This position is not limited to experienced Head Bakers. We are open to bakers with strong skills and experience who are ready to grow into a Head Baker role with the right guidance and motivation.
As Head Baker, you will be responsible for the full bakery operations at Kayu Cafe. You will lead a bakery team of approximately five people and oversee production to support both Kayu Cafe’s in-house needs as well as our B2B clients.
Beyond ensuring consistent product quality, you will also be responsible for managing production workflows, inventory control, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards, controlling food cost, minimizing waste, and building systems that allow the bakery to run smoothly without constant supervision.
Responsibilities
Bakery Production & Quality
- Produce and oversee a range of European-style bakery products, especially sourdough, croissants, viennoiserie, and other artisan baked goods
- Maintain consistency in taste, texture, size, shape, and presentation
- Ensure all products meet Kayu Cafe’s quality standards and brand concept
- Regularly evaluate and refine existing products
- Participate in the development of new products aligned with business and customer needs
Production Planning & Operational Efficiency
- Manage daily production to support Kayu Cafe’s internal needs and B2B clients
- Develop efficient and effective production schedules
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks in production workflows
- Optimize oven usage to maximize production capacity
- Plan production based on sales trends and operational needs
- Balance product availability, freshness, and waste minimization
Team Leadership
- Lead, guide, and develop a bakery team of approximately five people
- Build a positive, disciplined, and accountable work culture
- Provide regular coaching and feedback to team members
- Develop a team capable of working independently and consistently
Inventory Management & Cost Control
- Manage raw material inventory and ordering processes in an island-based location (Gili Trawangan)
- Forecast ingredient needs while considering logistical challenges in an island setting
- Monitor food cost and ingredient usage
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve profitability
- Balance product quality with business sustainability and cost efficiency
Food Safety & Hygiene
- Ensure all work areas, equipment, and production processes meet food safety and hygiene standards
- Maintain proper storage of raw materials and finished products
- Conduct regular checks on product quality and cleanliness
- Ensure full team compliance with food safety standards
Systems & Process Improvement
- Develop, document, and continuously improve SOPs, standard recipes, and work guidelines
- Build systems that enable consistent production without constant supervision
- Improve and streamline operational workflows
- Establish clear and repeatable working standards for the entire team
Business & Profitability
- Understand the relationship between product quality, production cost, and profitability
- Monitor bakery performance and identify areas for improvement
- Contribute ideas and initiatives to improve efficiency and profitability
- Make decisions that balance quality, creativity, and business sustainability
- Take ownership of overall bakery success
Requirements
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role in a bakery
- Strong experience in sourdough, croissants, and other artisan bakery products
- Strong understanding of European-style bakery, especially French bakery
- Experience managing medium to high-volume bakery production
- Experience leading, training, and developing teams
- Good understanding of inventory management and purchasing processes
- Experience in food cost control and waste reduction
- Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Ability to work independently and take full ownership of bakery operations
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in artisan bakeries, specialty cafés, boutique hospitality, or bakery franchises
- Experience managing budgets or departmental P&L
- Experience implementing waste reduction or operational efficiency programs
- Experience working in island or logistically challenging environments
Personality We Value
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability for results
- Proactive and able to anticipate problems before they arise
- Able to balance creativity with business and profitability needs
- Enjoys building systems and improving ways of working
- Enjoys mentoring and developing others
- Detail-oriented, organized, and consistent in maintaining standards
- Able to remain calm under pressure
- Solution-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
This Role Is NOT For Someone Who…
- Lacks experience in production or French-style bakery environments
- Is only interested in baking without interest in leading a team
- Is uncomfortable managing people, schedules, or systems
- Requires constant direction to complete work
- Tends to be reactive rather than proactive
- Struggles to accept feedback or process improvements
- Does not care about operational efficiency or business profitability
What You’ll Get
- BPJS Health & Employment Benefits
- Service charge (if applicable)
- Accommodation support (if applicable)
- Daily staff meal allowance
- Opportunity to lead and develop a well-established bakery café in Gili Trawangan
- A work environment focused on quality, creativity, and continuous improvement
- Opportunity to build systems, grow a team, and make a real impact on the business
