Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7512
Confectioner
A confectioner is a person who makes cakes, sweets and other confectionery products, either on an industrial scale or for direct sale.
Check yourself in a minute: confectioner
Rate 5 of the 33 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
care for food aesthetic
temper chocolate
operate a heat treatment process
manufacturing of confectionery
prepare bakery products
About confectioner
Over a working day a confectioner prepares doughs and batters, bakes confectionery products, and monitors temperature levels at every stage of flour product manufacturing, because temperature decides whether a dough rises and whether it scorches. They manage the heat treatment process, baking each batch until the tray leaves the oven. Finished items are coated, glazed, enrobed and iced. They shape chocolate, tempering it, casting it into moulds and making decorations, working from the chemical aspects of chocolates: the temperature at which cocoa butter crystallises, and why badly cooled chocolate turns grey. Bread products belong to the range as well.
Confectioners work in pastry shops, in bakeries and in confectionery manufacturing plants.
Formal requirements are set by national vocational rules and by the employer, and work with food brings its own health and hygiene requirements. Someone starting out prepares fillings and bases and learns one product family at a time before taking on chocolate work.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (33)
chemical aspects of chocolateschemical aspects of chocolatesChemical constitution of chocolate to alter recipes and provide customers with experiences of pleasure.bakery ingredientsbakery ingredientsThe raw materials and other ingredients used in baked goods.chemical aspects of sugarchemical aspects of sugarChemical aspects and constitution of sugar to alter recipes and provide customers with experiences of pleasure.nutrients of confectionerynutrients of confectioneryComponents and nutrients of confectionery products required to identify possible allergens.bakery production methodsbakery production methodsThe bakery production methods used to make baked products such as leaven, unleaven, sour dough, and predough.care for food aestheticcare for food aestheticConvey presentation and aesthetic elements into the production of food. Cut products properly, manage right quantities into the product, care for the attractiveness of the product.comply with food safety and hygienecomply with food safety and hygieneRespect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.temper chocolatetemper chocolateHeat and cool chocolate using marble slabs or machines in order to obtain the desired characteristics for different applications like shininess of the chocolate or the way it breaks.operate a heat treatment processoperate a heat treatment processApply heat treatment aimed at preparing and preserving half-finished or finished food products.manufacturing of confectionerymanufacturing of confectioneryManaging the development and production of bakers' confectionery, also called flour confections, including pastries, cakes, and similar baked goods.prepare bakery productsprepare bakery productsMake bakery products such as bread and pasta by preparing dough, using proper techniques, recipes and equipment to achieve ready bakery items, combining with other products if necessary.bake goodsbake goodsPerform all tasks for baking such as oven preparation and product loading, until the baked goods are discharged from it.bake confectionsbake confectionsBake cakes, tarts and confectioneries using ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil, with some varieties also requiring liquid such as milk or water and leavening agents such as yeas...produce confectionery from chocolateproduce confectionery from chocolateProduce different kinds of confectionery from chocolate mass.apply HACCPapply HACCPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).monitor coating specificationsmonitor coating specificationsMonitoring that specifications such as colour, shape, glaze, texture, weight, depth of coating are met.maintain food specificationsmaintain food specificationsPreserve, review, and evaluate existing food specifications such as recipes.work according to recipework according to recipePerform tasks in food preparation according to recipe or specification in order to preserve the quality of ingredients and to ensure replication accuracy of the recipe. Select the appropriate material...follow hygienic procedures during food processingfollow hygienic procedures during food processingEnsure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.tend confectionery manufacturing equipmenttend confectionery manufacturing equipmentOperate confectionery manufacturing and processing machinery such as boilers, baling presses, compressors, conveyor driven machinery, and storage silos, tanks and bins. They may also operate jar filli...select adequate ingredientsselect adequate ingredientsSelect adequate ingredients based in their technological function to execute ideas. Strive for consistent good quality of the ingredients and use them adequately to obtain a satisfactory final product...mould chocolatemould chocolateMould chocolate to make chocolate pieces that are of a certain shape. Pour liquid chocolate into a mould and let it harden.apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesapply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesApply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.apply GMPapply GMPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).create new recipescreate new recipesCombine innovative and creative ideas to come up with new recipes and preparations to extend the product of range of a company. Make modifications to recipes in order to enhance taste, reach productiv...coat food productscoat food productsCover the surface of the food product with a coating: a preparation based on sugar, chocolate, or any other product.monitor temperature in farinaceous processesmonitor temperature in farinaceous processesMonitor and control the temperature in the different phases of farinaceous processes such as fermentation, proofing, and baking. Adhere to specifications or recipes.ensure correct use of bakery equipmentensure correct use of bakery equipmentUse the utensils, machinery and equipment for the production of bakery and farinaceous products such as kneading machines, proofing equipment, vessels, knives, baking ovens, slicers, wrappers, mixers,...monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beveragesmonitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beveragesMonitor and control required temperatures in the different phases of production until the product reaches suitable properties according to specifications.knead food productsknead food productsPerform all kinds of kneading operations of raw materials, half-finished products and foodstuffs.operate mixing of food productsoperate mixing of food productsPerform all kinds of mixing operations of raw materials, half-finished products and foodstuffs.exert quality control to processing foodexert quality control to processing foodEnsure the quality of all factors involved in a food production process.enforce health and safety regulations for bread productsenforce health and safety regulations for bread productsMonitor activities to ensure bread products are handled in accordance with safety and hygiene standards.
Optional (26) — show
operate automated process controloperate automated process controlOperate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.decorate pastry for special eventsdecorate pastry for special eventsEmbellish pastry for special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.work independently in service of a food production processwork independently in service of a food production processWork individually as an important element in service of a food production process. This function is executed individually with little or no supervision or collaboration with colleagues.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.apply extruding techniquesapply extruding techniquesApply specific techniques for extrusion process in the food industry.apply flame handling regulationsapply flame handling regulationsApply the laws and organisation rules for the safe storage and use of flammables.perform chemical experimentsperform chemical experimentsPerform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.negotiate terms with suppliersnegotiate terms with suppliersIdentify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.analyse trends in the food and beverage industriesanalyse trends in the food and beverage industriesInvestigate trends in foodstuffs related to consumers preferences. Examine key markets based on both product type and geography as well as technological improvements in the industry.administer ingredients in food productionadminister ingredients in food productionIngredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.prepare regional sweet dishesprepare regional sweet dishesPrepare traditional sweets produced in a particular region, following recipes and specifications.tend bakery ovenstend bakery ovensOperate ovens using the right thermal regime to bake different types of dough and maintain equipment in order to ensure effective and correct operation.make artistic food creationsmake artistic food creationsUse ingredients, mixes and instruments to create artistic food preparations e.g. cakes. Be imaginative and resourceful, and combine colours and shapes to good effect. Turn designs into reality, caring...assess cocoa bean qualityassess cocoa bean qualityExamine the type of cocoa bean delivered by suppliers and match it to the desired product.improvise to occuring food processing situationsimprovise to occuring food processing situationsAdapt a flexible approach to occuring problems in the process of creating food and beverages.negotiate improvement with suppliersnegotiate improvement with suppliersBuild a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ...identify market nichesidentify market nichesAnalyse the composition of the markets, segment these into groups, and highlight the opportunities that each one of these niches represent in terms of new products.bake pastry for special eventsbake pastry for special eventsPrepare pastry for special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.dispose food wastedispose food wasteDispose or collect food waste with the purpose of recycling or throwing away from the production process. Follow established procedures for their disposal taking care of the environment and the safety...control of expensescontrol of expensesMonitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.perform services in a flexible mannerperform services in a flexible mannerAdapt service approach when circumstances change.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.examine production samplesexamine production samplesExamine production samples visually or manually to verify properties such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, humidity and texture.label sampleslabel samplesLabel raw material/product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does a confectioner do?
Confectioners make a varied range of cakes, candies and other confectionery items for industrial purposes or for direct selling.
What skills does a confectioner need?
A confectioner needs 33 essential skills, including chemical aspects of chocolates, bakery ingredients, chemical aspects of sugar, nutrients of confectionery, bakery production methods.
Will AI replace confectioner jobs?
The AI disruption score for confectioner is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beverages, examine production samples, control of expenses. Most resilient: act reliably, ensure correct use of bakery equipment, bakery ingredients.
AI Replacement Risk
43/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills33
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