Manager Culinary Production-CPM

Forefront Healthcare; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Forefront Healthcare is seeking a Manager, Culinary Production to lead back-of-house culinary operations across resident dining, café/retail, and catering. You will ensure standardized recipes, accurate portions, quality, and safety while meeting financial and regulatory requirements.

Travel to support multiple locations may be required. You will partner with the Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian to drive operational excellence through training, systematization, and continuous improvement,

Qualifications

• Leadership and team management experience in a healthcare food service setting.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, ServSafe, allergen controls, and infection prevention.
• Experience with menu planning, cost control, and inventory management.
• Proven ability to develop staff and optimize operations.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily back-of-house culinary operations for resident dining, café/retail, and catering.
• Ensure compliance with standardized recipes, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Manage production sheets, par levels, and batch cooking schedules.
• Perform daily quality checks on taste, texture, temperature, and appearance.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary ops

Food safety

Staff development

Meal production

HACCP

ServSafe

Budgeting

Travel

Job description

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. As a leader on our team, you play a vital role in driving operational success within a healthcare environment. Through our core values Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, you will lead teams, ensure high-quality service delivery, and help create a clean, safe, and healing environment for all.

If you are passionate about leading people, developing teams, and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to join us.

Why You’ll Love Leading With Us:

• Supportive Culture: Collaborate with a leadership team that values input, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Growth-Focused: Access to leadership development, Lean Six Sigma opportunities, and career advancement pathways

The Manager, Culinary Production is responsible for the leadership and execution of all back-of-house culinary operations, including meal production, recipe adherence, food safety, inventory management, and staff development. This role ensures consistent, high-quality dining experiences for residents, patients, retail guests, and catered events while meeting financial and regulatory requirements.

Working in partnership with the Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian, the Manager, Culinary Production drives operational excellence through standardized systems, staff training, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Culinary Operations

• Direct daily food production for resident dining, café/retail, and catering functions
• Ensure execution of standardized recipes, portion control, and presentation standards
• Manage production sheets, batch cooking schedules, and par levels
• Conduct daily quality checks for taste, texture, temperature, and appearance
• Support menu rollouts, seasonal programs, and special events

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise cooks, leads, and utility staff; provide coaching and performance feedback
• Train team on culinary techniques, equipment use, and service standards
• Build staffing schedules aligned with census and service demands
• Foster a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and accountability

Food Safety & Compliance

• Enforce HACCP, ServSafe, allergen, and infection prevention standards
• Monitor temperature logs, cooling procedures, and sanitation practices
• Ensure compliance with state/local health regulations and company policies
• Lead corrective actions and audit readiness
• Assist in managing food cost, labor productivity, and waste reduction
• Oversee ordering, receiving, FIFO rotation, and inventory accuracy
• Support recipe costing and menu engineering initiatives
• Maintain production records and purchasing compliance

Collaboration & Service Excellence

• Partner with Registered Dietitian on therapeutic diets and IDDSI standards
• Support resident engagement and culinary experience programs
• Coordinate with front-of-house for seamless service execution
• Participate in client meetings and quality improvement efforts

Travel

Role requires occasional travel by car or plane to support multiple locations or meetings

This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Forefront will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, height, weight, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, military service, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other protected class in its hiring practices, conditions for transfer or promotion, policies, discipline, discharge, terms, conditions or benefits of employment.

Position Type

Full-time

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