THE ROLE

We are looking for an accomplished, hands-on Commissary Production Manager to lead centralized food production for a high-end, growing retail grocery company with a multi-location footprint. This role is highly operational and people-focused, responsible for ensuring consistent quality, food safety, and efficient execution across all prepared food offerings.

The Commissary Production Manager will partner closely with the Culinary Director and operational leaders to translate culinary vision into scalable, repeatable production. This is a full-time, in-person role based in the Brooklyn commissary, with regular travel between store locations and headquarters as needed. It is ideal for a production leader who enjoys being close to the work—setting standards, leading teams, and continuously improving systems as the business grows.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Commissary Production & Operations

• Oversee daily centralized food production supporting multiple retail locations
• Plan and manage production schedules to meet volume, quality, and delivery needs
• Ensure consistency in recipes, portioning, labeling, and packaging across locations
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste

Leadership & Team Management

• Hire, train, schedule, and lead commissary production teams
• Set clear expectations and foster a culture of accountability and teamwork
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development to team members
• Oversee and support Store General Managers on production-related execution, quality control, and operational alignment across locations

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Enforce strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, allergen, and HACCP/ServSafe standards
• Maintain clean, organized, and audit-ready production environments
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, and transportation practices
• Address quality or safety issues proactively and decisively

Inventory, Procurement & Vendor Collaboration

• Manage inventory levels, ordering, and production inputs to support freshness and cost control
• Partner with procurement and receiving teams to ensure product quality and availability
• Meet with vendors as needed to align on sourcing, specifications, and standards
• Monitor food and labor costs and contribute to budget planning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Culinary Director on production strategy and scaling initiatives
• Collaborate with store leadership and HQ teams to align production with business needs
• Support new product launches, seasonal programs, and growth initiatives

EXPERIENCE

• 3–5+ years of experience in a commissary, centralized production kitchen, or high-volume culinary operation
• Prior experience leading and managing culinary or production teams
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and compliance standards
• Proven ability to balance quality, efficiency, and cost control in a production environment
• Experience supporting multi-location operations strongly preferred

ATTRIBUTES

• Hands-on, execution-focused leader with strong attention to detail
• Organized, calm, and effective in fast-paced environments
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented
• High standards for quality, safety, and consistency
• Passion for food, process, and operational excellence

REQUIREMENTS

• Culinary degree or relevant professional experience required
• Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent) required
• Ability to travel between the Brooklyn commissary, store locations, and HQ as needed
• Ability to work flexible hours as production needs require
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs