Kitchen Production Manager

Commerce Lexington Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) with match

Store discount

Paid vacation

Job summary

Good Foods Co-op in Lexington is seeking a Deli Production Manager to lead our prepared foods, café offerings, and kitchen operations.

You will coach staff, schedule production, manage costs, ensure food safety, and partner with the Prepared Foods Manager to drive quality and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.

This role offers growth, a community-focused workplace, and opportunities to support local sourcing and exceptional customer experiences.

Qualifications

• 5 years in prepared foods, restaurant, café, or kitchen.
• 2 years supervision or personnel management experience.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Customer service focus with positive leadership.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends.
• Comfort lifting up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen, café, and dishwasher staff.
• Coordinate daily production schedules and workflow.
• Assist with scheduling, hiring, onboarding, and training.
• Ensure high-quality prepared foods and café offerings are consistently available.
• Monitor department sales, labor, food costs, and production efficiency.
• Maintain clean, organized, and food-safe kitchen and prep areas.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Support merchandising, signage, displays, and product presentation.
• Monitor product quality, minimize shrink, and properly handling unsellable items.
• Collaborate with the Prepared Foods Manager on operational improvements and staffing needs.
• Providing leadership, coaching, accountability, and daily operational support to staff.
• Assist with inventory counts, ordering processes, menu development and department organization as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff management

Operations coordination

Food safety knowledge

Communication skills

Job description

Good Foods Co-op is a community-owned natural foods grocery dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system. We support local farmers and producers while creating a welcoming, inclusive shopping experience for everyone in our community.

We’re looking for a Deli Production Manager who is passionate about food production, team leadership, and delivering high-quality prepared meals and café offerings. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen environment, enjoys coaching and developing staff, and is committed to operational excellence, food safety, and customer service.

What You’ll Do

• Managing and supporting kitchen, café, and dishwasher staff
• Coordinating daily food production schedules and workflow efficiency
• Assisting with scheduling, hiring, onboarding, and employee training
• Ensuring high-quality prepared foods and café offerings are consistently available
• Monitoring department sales, labor, food costs, and production efficiency
• Maintaining clean, organized, and food-safe kitchen and prep areas
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations
• Supporting merchandising, signage, displays, and product presentation
• Monitoring product quality, minimizing shrink, and properly handling unsellable items
• Collaborating with the Prepared Foods Manager on operational improvements and staffing needs
• Providing leadership, coaching, accountability, and daily operational support to staff
• Assisting with inventory counts, ordering processes, menu development and department organization as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Has 5 years of Prepared Foods, restaurant, café, or kitchen experience
• Has 2 years supervisor or personnel management experience
• Demonstrates strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Works effectively in a fast-paced, hands‑on environment
• Brings a strong customer service focus and positive leadership style
• Has knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations
• Is reliable, detail-oriented, and solution-focused
• Has a strong interest in natural and organic foods and cooperative values
• Is comfortable working flexible schedules, including weekends
• Can safely lift up to 50 lbs and work in varied kitchen and retail environments

What It’s Like to Work Here

At Good Foods Co-op, you’re more than just an employee—you’re part of a community. We value collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Our Prepared Foods team plays an important role in creating fresh, high-quality meals and café offerings while supporting local ingredients, sustainable practices, and exceptional customer experiences.

Physical & Work Environment

• Fast-paced kitchen, café, retail, and backroom environment
• Regular standing, walking, bending, lifting, and repetitive movement
• Frequent exposure to hot, cold, and wet environments
• Use of kitchen equipment, machinery, ladders, and production tools
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise and shared workspacesAbility to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and team lift over 100 lbs as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive wage based on experience
• Leadership development and growth opportunities
• Dynamic and collaborative team environment

Full-time employees eligible for benefits after 90 days, including:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) with employer match after 1 year

All employees receive:

• Store discount
• Paid vacation time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Good Foods Co-op does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class.