Trainee Baker
Reports to: Head Baker
Location: Bleary, Craigavon
Hours: 48 hrs/week, 6 nights over 7, starting at 9pm. Sunday to Friday.
Rate: £12.50/14, reviewed after 6 months as skills develop
About the role
This is a hands-on training position for someone who wants to learn the craft properly. You don't need bakery experience — you need to turn up reliably, work clean and be keen to learn. You'll be trained from the ground up by our experienced bakers, starting with the basics and building towards running batches on your own.
It is night work: a 9pm start, six nights a week. We'd rather be straight about that up front than have someone find out in week two.
What you'll learn, in stages
1. Months 1–3: Hygiene and safety, ingredient handling, accurate weighing and scaling, tray prep, cooling and packing
2. Months 3–6: Assisting on the mixer, knocking back and folding, basic dividing and pre-shaping, loading and unloading the oven
3. Months 6–12: Hand shaping to standard, judging proof, running a bake under supervision, caring for starters and pre-ferments
4. Beyond: Working independently on your own section of the nightly production plan
Day-to-day responsibilities
Weigh and scale ingredients accurately to recipe
Assist the bakers through mixing, fermentation, shaping and baking
Prepare tins, trays, couches and bannetons
Cool, pack and label finished product for dispatch
Keep the bakery clean and organised — washing down, sweeping, equipment cleaning
Follow all food safety, hygiene and allergen procedures
Complete basic production paperwork
Essential
Reliable and punctual, and realistic about night work — a 9pm start six nights a week is the job, not an add-on. If you've not worked nights before, we're happy to talk it through with you.
Willing to learn and take direction
Good attention to detail and pride in doing things properly
Able to work as part of a small team
Physically fit enough for lifting, standing and repetitive work
[Minimum age] and the right to work in the UK
Desirable
Any food industry or kitchen experience
Food hygiene certificate (we'll fund this if you don't have it)
An interest in baking at home
What we offer
Full training from skilled craft bakers and a recognised skill you'll have for life, pay review points, 28 days holidays, pension, staff bread and medical cover
Trainee Baker in Craigavon employer: Bell Recruitment
As a Commercial Manager at our organisation, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment that champions teamwork and professional growth. We offer competitive benefits, a culture rooted in integrity and ambition, and opportunities to develop your skills while driving meaningful business success in the vibrant Food/FMCG sector across the UK and Ireland.
