Food Production Manager - Airline Catering

SkyChefs; New York (NY); On-site; USD 94,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off, Sick Leave & Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Free Parking & Daily Meals

Job summary

SkyChefs, located on-site near JFK Airport, seeks a Food Production Manager to lead a multi-shift team in a fast-paced airline catering environment. You will oversee cooks, production staff, and supervisors, ensuring food safety, efficiency, and flawless service while managing budgets and regulatory compliance.

The role requires 3–5 years of leadership in food production, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on leadership experience in food production, catering, or a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong communicator, motivator, and team builder.
• Solid knowledge of FDA, HACCP, GMP, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with VPS or similar tools a major plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a dynamic team of cooks, production employees, and supervisors across multiple shifts.
• Plan, organize, and manage daily hours, schedules, productivity, quality and safety.
• Oversee all food production activities and ensure efficient operation.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, HACCP, GMP, safety, health, environmental regulations.
• Guarantee on-time and accurate production for flights.
• Own department budgets, inventory, scheduling, and productivity.
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles and drive innovation in meal prep and delivery.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and airline clients to ensure service quality.
• Participate in daily leadership briefings and drive performance improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Production management

Food safety

Communication

Microsoft Office

Inventory systems

Lean manufacturing

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

VPS

Microsoft Office

Inventory systems

Job description

Job Title: Food Production Manager - Airline Catering
Job Location: Jamaica-USA-11430
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $94,000.00 - 112,000.00

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Role Purpose Statement

In this role, you will leading a team of supervisors and frontline employees across multiple shifts in a fast-paced, production-driven environment. Your leadership will ensure food safety, efficiency, and service excellence while managing labor budgets, performance, and compliance standards. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong production leadership experience looking to make a tangible impact and grow into senior operational roles. This position reports to the Director of Operations and located near JFK Airport.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary + Annual Incentive Plan
• Medical, Dental, Vision – starts Day 1
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave & Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement – support for professional development
• Free Parking & Daily Meals

Main Accountabilities

• Lead and inspire a dynamic team of cooks, production employees, and supervisors
• Strategically plan, organize, and manage a department with regards to daily hours, schedules, productivity, quality and safety.
• Oversee all food production activities and ensure everything runs like a well-oiled (but healthy!) machine
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, quality standards, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), safety, health, environmental and other regulations
• Ensure on-time and accurate production in the preparation of food/equipment and catering of flights
• Take ownership of department budgets, inventory, scheduling, and productivity
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles and bring innovation to how we prepare and deliver meals
• Partner with cross-functional teams and airline clients to ensure top-notch service and presentation
• Participate in daily leadership briefings and be the go-to for performance improvement

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 3-5 years of hands-on leadership experience in food production, catering, or a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)
• Strong communicator, motivator, and team builder
• Solid knowledge of FDA, HACCP, GMP, and operational compliance
• Experience with Variable Production Systems (VPS) or similar tools a major plus
• Tech-savvy with Microsoft Office and inventory systems
• Someone who thrives in a diverse, multicultural, and deadline-driven environment

SkyChefs is an EEO and Affinitive Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.