Job Description
Job Description
About Dog Tag
At Dog Tag Bakery, we’re more than just a bakery — we’re part of Dog Tag Inc., a mission-driven organization that blends the art of baking with a powerful commitment to social impact. Based in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, Dog Tag Bakery provides an innovative, hands-on educational program for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers, equipping them with the skills to launch their own businesses or transition to meaningful careers in the civilian workforce.
Our bakery is a place where delicious treats and meaningful service meet. Every item we create reflects our dedication to supporting those who have served our country. With every loaf, cookie, and pastry, we honor the veterans, military families, and caregivers who walk through our doors, offering them a path to success through learning, community, and empowerment.
Why Dog Tag?
What makes Dog Tag truly unique is our holistic approach to social impact. We don’t just serve great food; we provide a supportive environment for veterans and their families to thrive, grow, and connect. Our values of service, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and respect guide everything we do — from the way we interact with our team to the way we engage with our customers.
As part of our growing team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a mission that’s bigger than baking. You’ll help empower individuals, change lives, and make an impact every day. This is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to contribute to a legacy that transforms the lives of veterans, military families, and caregivers while serving delicious food to the community.
Role Description
The Sous Chef oversees food preparation and cooking in the bakery. This role is in charge of the production of desserts, as well as the brownies and bars station. The Sous Chef must be a strong leader who excels in training, delegating, and inspiring others, while being motivated to help Dog Tag Bakery achieve its goals and fulfill its mission. Duties include assisting the Head Chef in monitoring kitchen activities, ensuring taste and presentation in our products, and taking on additional responsibilities in the Head Chef’s absence to ensure the kitchen staff has proper direction.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
- Assist and support the Head Chef with food orders, production planning, and participation in catering and event planning meetings.
- Assist with maintaining and organizing nut-free certification documentation to ensure compliance with bakery standards.
- Support Research & Development (R&D) by assisting with recipe testing, product development, and menu improvements.
- Assist with kitchen production, including savory items, dough preparation, and daily food orders.
- Monitor and maintain kitchen inventory levels and place ingredients and supply orders when the Head Chef is not on site.
- Help oversee events and catering orders, including production timelines, dough preparation, and savory menu items.
- Maintain a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment within the kitchen team.
- Assist in executing and maintaining Health and Safety standards, as well as all rules and policies outlined in the Dog Tag Employee Handbook.
- Ensure all products meet Dog Tag Bakery quality standards and report any incorrect or unsellable items to the Head Chef for documentation in the waste log.
- Ensure proper food temperatures are maintained and that all food is labeled, stored, and handled according to food safety guidelines.
- Monitor the freshness, consistency, and overall quality of all menu items and ingredients.
- Set up, operate, and properly maintain kitchen equipment needed for daily production.
- Help control inventory levels and adjust production to meet retail, catering, and wholesale demand while minimizing waste.
- Collaborate with catering, wholesale, development, and program managers to support special requests and projects.
- Assist with developing event menus and preparing food for events and special programs.
- Communicate staffing needs, equipment issues, and ingredient shortages to the Head Chef in a timely manner.
Work Hours, Compensation & Benefits
- Full-time work schedule of 35+ hours per week.
- Must be available to work weekends and start as early as 5:30 am. Start times may vary due to catering orders. Open availability.
- Starting wage: $26-$30 per hour.
- Paid vacation time and five additional paid holidays per year.
- Paid end-of-year closing: in celebration of the incredible work done across all departments during the year, Dog Tag closes between Christmas and New Year.
- Medical (health, dental, and vision) insurance, life & accident insurance, and Employee Assistance Program.
- Voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, transportation), short-term and long-term disability insurance, and retirement plans.
- Free shift drinks and food discounts.Opportunities for training and career growth
Qualifications
- 2+ years of industry experience
- ServSafe Food Manager Certificate
- Associate’s degree in culinary arts or equivalent is a plus
- Strong organizational, management and communication skills
- Clear understanding and enthusiasm for Dog Tag Inc.’s mission
- Good attention to detail
- Works well under pressure
- Quickly recognize and resolve problems
- Must operate machinery in a safe manner and report unsafe conditions
- Must be able to multi-task effectively
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs
- Must have flexibility in schedule
- Highly responsible, punctual and reliable