Commissary Kitchen - Food Production Manager

COMMISSARY KITCHEN - FOOD PRODUCTION MANAGER

The Opportunity:

The Food Production Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Natures Fare Markets commissary kitchen, including employee management, quality assurance, and production.  This role is responsible for managing the implementation of new directives and procedures within the department, ensuring operational efficiencies and high level of product quality is maintained.  This position reports directly to the Commissary Operations Manager and collaborates on the daily operations of the facility.  This position provides direction to other departments within Food Operations, including the R&D and Administration teams. This position will also lead and spearhead directives to the Kitchen Manager.

Responsibilities
The Food Production Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the commissary kitchen.  This position is responsible for, but is not limited to, the following:

Team Management:

• Provide strong leadership, communication and mentorship, setting the tone of support and encouragement for success for all staff in the team.
• When making decision, keep high regard for Nature’s Fare’s culture and values and use these to guide decision making process.
• Responsible for various HR items including recruitment, terminations, conflict resolution, touchpoints and team reviews, team engagement and relations, and any other HR action items. 
• In collaboration with the Commissary Operations Manager, ensure that adequate staffing levels, in relation to sales and production, are in place and following what has been budgeted.
• Lead and set tone for all aspects of production daily.
• Responsible for delegation of tasks and responsibilities, and leadership of all staff in the department.
• Maintain a high level of team morale

• Place weekly orders with approved vendors.
• Consult with R&D chef team and the Food Production manager regarding any new products that may be required on a weekly basis.
• Coordinate with Administration Manager to research and analyze costs from existing vendors and potential new suppliers for the lowest costs.

• Responsible for regular repair and maintenance of all equipment. Will provide details after arrangements for repairs have been made. 
• Be in communication with all approved suppliers and maintenance people in case equipment maintenance or repairs are required.
• Responsible for procurement relative to the scope of the position

• Ensure that the commissary and equipment cleaning schedule is adhered to on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Ensure that all food is prepared in accordance with Food Safety guidelines and that proper sanitation is always used. 
• Co-ordinate with the Commissary Team Leaders to ensure that all documentation is up to date and is being properly monitored for our Health and Food Safety program.
• Ensure that house made products are being tested for appropriate taste and seasoning at all productions times.
• Ensure that all raw goods are being received are of exceptional quality and received in proper order.
• Regularly monitor products, both pre and post prep, to gauge quality assurance on both product that is being received and shipped.  Making sure to communicate to the Purchasing and Admin Manager on and RFC, short ships and or any other quality control issues.
• Communicate with vendors on consistent QC issues to provide feedback and find resolution.
• Coordinate on improved quality assurance opportunities with the Quality Management Team Leader.

• Oversee and manage the day-to-day production of all fresh foods in the commissary.
• Analyze and improve efficiencies of the commissary operations and implement change, where necessary
• Minimize the amount of spillage generated by proper management of inventory control, recipe compliance, product rotation and supervision of staff’s actions.  This should be done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and an action plan should be created when necessary.
• Oversee store fulfillment to ensure that it is completed and shipped as required.  Coordinate with Admin. Manager that these things are communicated to stores in the cases of any short ships.
• Maintain a high level of team accountability.  Holding team members to all goals as laid out by leadership being time, mistake or other.
• Coordinate with Commissary Administration Manager on a consistent basis to fine-tune levels of stock depending on current recipe volumes.
• Collaborate, and support the R&D Chef’s on recipe rollout.
• High level focus on providing the highest quality product to our customers and stores.
• Perform monthly inventories alongside Commissary Operations Manager

• Provide support and oversight to bakery operations within the commissary department.
• Provide input on recipe inception and creation.
• Participate in quarterly planning in collaboration with Commissary Operations and R&D team.

• Collaborate with the Commissary Operations Manager on annual sales, operational and CAPEX budgets.
• Oversee the standardized monthly schedule for team members.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of food cost, margin, and budgeting as necessary to perform required financial duties.
• General administration, as required within scope of this position.  This will include things such as production charts, recipe books, part lists etc.
• Monthly review of financial performance of the commissary.
• Creation and implementation of new policies and procedures.
• Higher level oversight in Avanti and approvals when necessary

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Minimum 5 years experience leading a team of 10+ team members in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• High volume kitchen production experience
• A Red Seal designation or equivalent experience
• You have a great attitude and love to lead
• Passionate about fresh, organic and natural foods
• You pride yourself on quality of work and your keen eye for detail
• You are open to new ideas or challenges that may come your way
• You can easily adapt to shifting priorities

• Competitive wage range to start of:  $ 26.00 to $31.00 per hour based on experience
• Flexible Benefits
• Education allowance up to $750 annually
• Store discount up to 25%
• Food related work with an amazing team and without the restaurant hours!

Some things you should know about us:

• We strive for constant collaboration and communication to achieve the best results in everything we do
• We expect our team to put as much care into food preparation as we would preparing meals for our family
• We are very team driven
• We support one another and build each other up
• We pride ourselves in a light-hearted, fun and inclusive atmosphere
• Recognition to stand-out team members is very important to us

Put your passion into work that matters with a growing, BC-based company committed to be a better company for our customers, our employees, and the planet. We’ll surround you with a great team and a supportive learning environment where you can grow and thrive.

Nature's Fare Markets is an equal opportunity employer and as such we strive to foster a workplace where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and respected.

Apply online today!