Prepared Foods Manager

Mother's Market & Kitchen; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

In-store discounts

Job summary

Mother's Market & Kitchen in Santa Ana, CA seeks a Prepared Foods Manager to lead our Kitchen, Deli, and Juice Bar teams, ensuring top-quality food, service, and operational excellence. You’ll supervise staff, manage budgets, and optimize labor while maintaining safety and sanitation standards.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of food service management experience, a high school diploma/GED, and strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years managing food service operations; 3–5 years preferred.
• High school diploma or GED required; culinary or hospitality diploma is a bonus.
• Strong food safety knowledge and portion control are essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coach staff across Kitchen, Juice Bar, and Deli.
• Hire, train, evaluate, and discipline team members to maintain high performance and morale.
• Create a positive culture: recognize achievements and lead from the front.
• Ensure food prep meets portioning, plating, and presentation standards.
• Manage inventory, place orders, minimize waste, and control food cost.
• Maintain sanitation, safety, and health regulations for inspections.
• Oversee budgets, control labor expenses, and analyze variances.
• Maintain payroll records and POS transaction reviews.
• Build vendor relationships and handle service or maintenance requests.
• Serve as the primary contact for customer issues and resolve complaints promptly.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff coaching

Customer service

Food safety

Communication

Education

High school diploma/GED

Culinary/hospitality diploma (bonus)

Job description

As a Prepared Foods Manager, you'll lead teams across our kitchen, deli, and juice bar, ensuring exceptional food quality, service, and operational excellence.

Hourly Pay: $24.00 hourly – $75,000 yearly

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, & in-store discounts

What You'll Do

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and coach staff in the Kitchen, Juice Bar, and Deli covering both front & back of house
• Hire, train, evaluate, and discipline team members to maintain high performance and morale
• Create a positive culture: recognize achievements, give constructive feedback, and "lead from the front"

Operational Excellence

• Ensure food prep meets portioning, plating, and presentation standards
• Manage inventory, place orders, minimize waste, and control food cost
• Maintain sanitation, safety, and health regulations ensuring compliance and preparing for health inspections

Financial & Administrative Management

• Oversee departmental budgets, control labor expenses, and analyze financial variances
• Maintain payroll records and POS transaction reviews
• Build strong vendor relationships and manage service or maintenance requests efficiently

Customer Focus

• Serve as the primary point of contact during customer issues resolving complaints personally and promptly
• Foster customer rapport: learn regulars by name and create a welcoming atmosphere

What You Bring

• Experienced: 2+ years managing food service operations (preferred 3–5 in similar settings)
• Trained: High school diploma/GED required; culinary or hospitality diploma is a bonus
• Food-Savvy: Strong understanding of food safety, cooking techniques, and portion control
• Leader: Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
• Physically Fit: Able to lift up to 50 lbs. (:100 times/day), stand/walk extensively
• Adaptable: Available for varied shifts, including weekends, holidays, and across store locations
• Hands-on Leadership: Train your team, coach them to excel, and set performance metrics
• Impactful Role: Shape food quality, customer experiences, and operational efficiency

Why Join Mother's Market?

You'll be part of a mission-driven company that values wellness, sustainability, and outstanding customer service. We foster an inclusive workplace where team members are respected and encouraged to grow.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mother's Market is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status.