Senior Production Manager - Ready-to-Eat Foods

Compass Group USA; Lenexa (KS); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Fresh & Ready Foods in Lenexa, KS, seeks a Production Manager to lead daily production of ready-to-eat foods, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery.

This role develops staff, manages budgets, and partners with operations leaders to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced facility. Strong bilingual skills and ServSafe knowledge are preferred; 4+ years in food production management and P&L exposure are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish required to support a diverse workforce.
• Four (4) or more years of hands-on foodservice or food manufacturing operational management experience.
• Demonstrated background in fresh, prepared, and ready-to-eat food production environments.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
• P&L responsibility strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of financial, budgetary, accounting, and operational metrics.
• Excellent communication skills with hourly staff, management, and clients.
• ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of fresh food production with ownership and accountability.
• Plan and coordinate daily production activities for timely, efficient, high-quality food prep.
• Manage operational financials, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting.
• Maintain compliance with meal requirements, recipes, portion controls, and standards.
• Oversee food preparation, storage, labeling, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor inventory levels, investigate discrepancies, and maintain records.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop production staff to meet goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with associates, management, clients, and customers.
• Collaborate with department managers and Director of Operations on priorities.
• Participate in safety and quality meetings to support continuous improvement.
• Ensure proper equipment operation and adherence to policies.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Service Technology / Food Management or related field

Associate degree + 4 years related experience

Job description

Fresh & Ready Foods

Position Title: Production Manager (Ready to Eat Foods)

Salary:$85,000 - $90,000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly Bonus Opportunity

Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.

Fresh & Ready Food Group is a member of Canteen. Canteensets the national standard forexcellencein automated retail, andEVERYsegment of our business is thriving.We employ the best team in the industry and their dedication, collaboration and passion fuel ourgrowth.YOUbring enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply theopportunityand innovation.TOGETHERwe’ll continue transforming the micro-market, dining, coffee, and vending industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, [e-mail].

Job Summary:

The Production Manager (Ready-to-Eat Foods) is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating daily production operations within a food manufacturing facility. This role ensures the efficient preparation and timely delivery of high-quality finished food products while maintaining strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards. The Production Manager leads and develops production staff, manages operational and financial performance, and partners with cross-functional leadership to drive continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Lead all aspects of fresh food production with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Plan and coordinate daily production activities to ensure timely, efficient, and high-quality food preparation.
• Manage operational financials, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting.
• Maintain compliance with meal requirements, standardized recipes, portion controls, and quality standards.
• Oversee food preparation, storage, labeling, sanitation, and adherence to all regulatory and food safety requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels, investigate discrepancies, and ensure accurate food safety and production records.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop production staff to meet operational and performance goals.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with associates, management, clients, and customers.
• Partner closely with department managers and the Director of Operations to align daily production priorities.
• Participate in management, safety, and quality meetings to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance while enforcing company policies and procedures.

Education and Experience Requirements:
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required to support a diverse workforce.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Service Technology, Food Management, or a related field preferred;
or associate degree with a minimum of four (4) years of directly related experience.
• Four (4) or more years of hands-on foodservice or food manufacturing operational management experience.
• Demonstrated background in fresh, prepared, and ready-to-eat food production environments.
• Strong understanding of food and catering trends with an emphasis on quality, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
• Proven experience with P&L responsibility is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of financial, budgetary, accounting, and operational metrics.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with hourly staff, management, and clients.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, email systems, and internet-based tools.
• ServSafe® certification preferred.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements:
• Ability to work 8–10 hours per day based on operational needs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in refrigerated environments (34°F–40°F).
• Ability to push, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in fresh, refrigerated, or frozen food manufacturing operations.

Apply to Canteen today!

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Canteen.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:1570200

Fresh & Ready Foods

Leticia Pinon