Head of Airline Kitchen Operations & Quality

Flying Food Group; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision

Retirement program (401(k))

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Pet insurance

Job summary

Flying Food Group is seeking a Food Production Director (LAI) to lead all food production activities across hot and cold kitchen operations. You will manage a diverse team, ensure food safety and quality, and optimize labor and food costs to improve efficiency and profitability.

This role reports to the General Manager and collaborates with the Executive Chef and Production Manager. The position requires 8–10 years in production management, strong HACCP/FDA knowledge, and proven leadership in a

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in food production management, preferably in large-scale or airline catering.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FDA standards, and cost-control techniques.
• Proven leadership of large teams in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills in unionized settings.
• Ability to drive safety, quality, and efficiency across multiple production areas.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily hot and cold kitchen operations to ensure timely meal delivery for international airlines.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef and Production Manager to align production with assembly processes.
• Maintain airline-specific quality standards and food safety compliance.
• Develop strategies to control food and labor costs through procurement, portion control, and staffing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop senior production leadership; foster a positive, accountable culture.
• Implement lean production and automation initiatives to improve productivity and quality.
• Manage labor relations and ensure compliance with union agreements and standards.
• Lead customer audits, menu presentations, and communication with stakeholders.
• Provide regular reporting on production metrics, costs, waste, and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Operations management

Communication

Union environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts / Hospitality Management / Operations Management

Job description

Flying Food Group is seeking a Food Production Director (LAI) to lead all food production activities across hot and cold kitchen operations. You will manage a diverse team, ensure food safety and quality, and optimize labor and food costs to improve efficiency and profitability.

This role reports to the General Manager and collaborates with the Executive Chef and Production Manager. The position requires 8–10 years in production management, strong HACCP/FDA knowledge, and proven leadership in a