Head Baker & Pastry Chef

New to Nedlands, Mokoko is a neighbourhood bakery built on simple ingredients, authentic methods, and a commitment to doing things properly. Specialising in viennoiserie along with a small production of naturally leavened breads for lunch, everything is made fresh and baked throughout the day from a perfectly laminated croissant to a beautifully crafted focaccia. Just great baking, done properly.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head Baker & Pastry Chef to lead both our production team and product direction. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who not only excels in bakery and pastry operations, but also knows and understands what lies behind successful product development and deployment. Beyond leading production, the successful candidate will play a key role in defining our menu strategy, product offering, systems, and standards as the business establishes itself and grows.

Reporting directly to the Store Manager, this role is responsible for the overall leadership of the bakery and production kitchen. The successful candidate will take ownership of the organisations processes, documentation, and day-to-day management of all kitchen-related activities, ensuring the operation runs with consistency and efficiency.

A key focus of the role will be the development thoughtful operational systems that support the execution of the menu and the strategy behind it's development. This includes production planning, workflow management, recipe documentation, stock control procedures, ordering systems, production scheduling, and methodologies that optimise labour, timing, and output. We are looking for someone who can establish structure and discipline within the operation while creating systems that enable the team to perform at a consistently high standard.

The successful candidate will lead the ongoing development of our menu strategy across several key categories:

Viennoiserie

Classics with some development of signature products.

Lunch

Creating afocused range of thoughtful offerings built around our house-made focaccia and ciabatta. The objective is not complexity, but creating products where outstanding bread and quality ingredients, speak for themselves.

Signature Bakery Category

Taking ownership of a distinct product family that strengthens the Mokoko brand and complements our core pastry and bread offering. Requiring a strategic approach to product development, with a focus on creating a cohesive range that evolves over time.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Pastry Chef with a minimum of 4 years' professional pastry experience.

• Demonstrated experience producing high-quality viennoiserie is essential.

• Strong knowledge of naturally leavened bread production, including focaccia, ciabatta, and sourdough.

• Proven experience leading and developing teams of 4-6 team members.

• A passion for product development, quality improvement, and menu innovation.

• Strong organisational, production planning, and leadership skills.

• A genuine desire to mentor, coach, and develop others.

• Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily bakery and pastry production.

• Drive menu strategy and ongoing product development across all categories.

• Maintain exceptional standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.

• Train, mentor, and develop the production team.

• Manage production planning, ordering, stock control, and workflow efficiencies.

• Develop and maintain kitchen systems, documentation, recipes, and operating procedures.

• Work closely with the Store Manager to shape the evolution of the Mokoko brand, business model, and customer offering.

• Foster a culture of pride, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Why Join Mokoko?

New to Perth, we are a business with ambitious plans reflected with a second location planned for 2027. This role offers the opportunity to become a key part of that journey, taking ownership of both product and people while helping define the next chapter of the brand.

What makes this role unique is the opportunity to contribute meaningfully from the outset. You will have the ability to influence how the business evolves, helping shape the products we become known for, the standards that define us, our operational systems, and the overall customer experience.

We believe in creating opportunities for talented people who care deeply about their craft. We like to keep things simple, classy, and beautiful, while fostering a workplace built on pride, respect, accountability, and excellence.

Working Hours

• 5 days per week from 5:00am with optional later starts.

• Weekend availability required

• No night shifts

Start Date

Available Immediately

Apply

If you have the experience, leadership capability, and passion for exceptional baking that we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and why you'd like to join Mokoko.

Applicants must hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency.