Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religion, or other protected classes.
About Our Organization: Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse is a retail bookstore and tea cafe located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, 45 minutes from Santa Fe and Taos as well as various other regional cultural hubs. Los Alamos is located on the Pajarito Plateau at 7300 feet of elevation with easy access to local skiing, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities.
All positions are in-person and on site at our location, unless otherwise indicated. Our retail location is in Central Park Square, a complex of restaurants, retail, and offices located in downtown Los Alamos. Events are held on and off site, throughout Los Alamos County at various parks, fields, and buildings, as well as regionally with partners. Applicants will be expected to be available for on and off site events as the role requires.
If you need assistance completing an application or with an interview, please contact owner Jill Lang at admin@samizdatbookstore.com
Our organization works with customers, partners, and staff from diverse backgrounds and has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or hate speech.
Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse - Bakery Lead
Job Summary
The Bakery Lead works directly with the owner to design and produce a menu of bakery products. The Bakery Lead will work on site, developing an innovative menu, producing pastries, and working with the Marketing and Design Lead in order to communicate products to the public. The person in this position will prepare macarons, including batter, macaronage, and fillings; alfajores, empanadas, mochi donuts, and other baked goods. We are looking to produce baked goods and pastries that are not currently available in the Los Alamos restaurant market and are very interested in a Bakery Lead who is creative, innovative, and open to experimentation. The person in this position will work directly with the general public, Samizdat staff, as well as other small business, non-profit, and government partners. Some point-of-sale operations and direct customer service will be required. We support and encourage annual travel to trade shows as well as educational opportunities.
Essential Duties and Functions
Leads the development of menus and recipes under the supervision of the Owner.
Manages kitchen operations and communicates inventory, equipment, and maintenance needs to the Owner.
Opens the kitchen and produces daily baked goods on-site.
Cleans and sanitizes equipment and baking areas.
Prepares custom orders.
Creates a rotating/seasonal menu of baked items throughout the year.
Communicates with Marketing and Design Lead to coordinate marketing promotions and social media posts for menu items.
Has a current New Mexico Food Handler’s license and is willing to obtain New Mexico Food Manager certification.
Works with community partners to plan food items for internal and external events such as book signings and festivals.
Manages daily and weekly workflow with multiple products.
Ensures kitchen operations follow all New Mexico Environmental Department guidelines for commercial food establishments, maintaining a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Is available during weekdays and during weekend events when needed.
Maintains a professional relationship with customers, staff, and community partners.
Desired Qualifications
Experience working in commercial kitchens, preferably producing baked goods.
Ability to use commercial-grade kitchen appliances and equipment.
Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
Available for early morning shifts.
Interest in experimentation with recipes and flavors.
Background check clearance.
Referrals and examples of work experience.
Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
Good teamwork skills.
Comfortable working with a certain degree of autonomy.
New Mexico State Driver’s license.
The ideal candidate lives within a 40 mile radius of Los Alamos or has plans to relocate to Los Alamos within the next six calendar months.
Organizational Structure
Reports to and works with Owner to plan and produce a menu of baked goods.
Collaborates with Marketing and Design Lead to communicate inventory of baked goods to the public.
Collaborates with partners on external programming and events.
Physical Demands
Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. These include standing on a tiled floor for an extended period of time, moving about the retail floor and kitchen, preparing and serving food and beverage, lifting up to 40 pounds, and using potentially hazardous equipment such as ovens, knives, mixers, etc. Should be able to work in a variety of environments including retail sales floor, kitchen, as well as various partner spaces in the local and regional area. Must be comfortable in frequently loud, bustling environments. Must be available during large events.
Hiring Range: $18-22 per hour commensurate with experience and according to Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse’s staff salary schedule.
This is a part time (28 hours) position in Los Alamos, NM. The expected workday will be 4 days per week, 7 hours per day. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to attend occasional events scheduled on evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume in PDF format to admin@samizdatbookstore.com. Applications will be accepted and interviews conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Expected start date January 2025. In your cover letter, please address:
Why are you interested in working for Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse and in this job in particular?
What about your experience makes you the ideal candidate for this position?
This job requires a candidate who is comfortable both directing their own work and collaborating closely with a team on collaborative projects. Explain how your experience makes you suitable for both styles of work.