Baking Applications Technician

About the role

This position prepares and conducts laboratory tests and baking evaluations for the company's primary products, including all-purpose, counter and bakery flours, cereals, cake mixes, festival mixes and customer-specific mixes. It also provides technical support to flour mill and mix plant operations, ensuring consistent product quality and functionality in laboratory testing and customer bakery applications.

Key responsibilities

• Perform test bakes of bakery flour, counter flour and cake mixes, and assess and score the finished products
• Carry out quality checks on flour and baked goods and take corrective action
• Test incoming raw materials and verify ingredient weights and specifications for pre-mixes
• Assist with product development, including experimental blending, test baking and shelf-life studies
• Monitor flour lot variation effects on baked goods and give feedback to milling operations
• Investigate customer complaints and prepare reports of findings
• Visit customer bakeries to troubleshoot flour and mix performance issues, retrain bakery staff and deliver product demonstrations
• Work with the Commercial, Milling and Mix Plant teams to support new customers and move formulations from lab to full-scale production
• Prepare technical reports and application notes, and document all trials and testing procedures

Required profile

• Baking & Pastry Arts diploma, or an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Baking Science, Milling Science, Food Science or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• At least 5 years' experience in a bakery, flour mill, mix plant or food manufacturing environment
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently to customer sites
• Flexibility to work overtime, shifts and on call, including early mornings, extended hours during trial runs and short-notice travel

Required skills

• Advanced bread and pastry baking skills
• Direct experience with cake mixes and/or mixed product lines
• Familiarity with commercial bakery equipment (spiral and planetary mixers, deck/rotary ovens, proofers)
• Knowledge of flour types and mix formulation chemistry (leavening systems, emulsifiers, fat systems, starches)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Firm knowledge of ISO, HACCP, GMP and environmental standards