Description
GENERAL PURPOSE:
The Central Food Production Director oversees all operations of our central food production facility, which supplies prepared foods to 20 retail locations across the state. This key leadership role is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality food production while maintaining rigorous food safety standards. The Director manages all aspects of the production facility, including staff supervision, equipment maintenance, quality control, distribution logistics, and regulatory compliance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Follows established departmental and store policies and procedures
Directly oversee the successful operation of all food production activities
Ensures the quality and freshness of all products and services provided throughout all of food production
Develop and implement production schedules to optimize efficiency and meet distribution deadlines
Establish and maintain standard operating procedures for all production processes
Responsible for maintaining the appropriate product assortment and inventory levels for all departments
Collaborate with Executive Chef and product development team on new menu items and seasonal offerings
Ensures company standards for safety, sanitation and productivity are maintained
Performs periodic department audits and taste tests to ensure all products meet established standards
Develop and enforce quality control procedures at all stages of production
Investigate and resolve any quality or safety issues that arise
Manage a team of production supervisors, line cooks, prep staff, and packaging personnel
Training and development of associates with emphasis on food safety and quality standards
Provides honest, direct, and constant feedback to associates regarding their performance and areas of improvement; assesses associate performance and influences promotion, discipline, etc.
Oversee maintenance and sanitation of all production equipment
Evaluate and recommend equipment upgrades or replacements as needed
Ensure compliance with all safety regulations regarding equipment operation
Analyze production costs and implement efficiency improvements
Monitor key performance indicators related to production output, quality, and cost
Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings
Collaborate with purchasing ingredients and supply procurement to optimize costs
Coordinate with fleetteam to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to all 20 store locations
Develop packaging standards that maintain product quality during transportation
Sets a professional and positive example to others
Assists as needed to ensure the success of the department as a whole
MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:
Consistent and daily interaction with store associates
Consistent and daily interaction with vendors
Requirements
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:
A high school diploma or GED preferred; two or four-year degree in food science, technical sales, communication, business or related field preferred; five years of food production or other central kitchen or manufacturing experience with managerial/leadership preferred; or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Current Food Handler’s Permit
Basic math skills
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite
Must obtain Harmons’ Forklift Certification
Experience with HACCP safety standards
Proficiency with inventory management and production planning software
Experience with large-scale food production for retail distribution
Detail-oriented with strong commitment to quality and food safety
Must possess integrity, a positive attitude, be mission-driven, and be self-directed with a demonstrated passion for Harmons’ mission and commitment to working collaboratively
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities
Must possess solid communication skills, including verbal and listening skills to communicate with and manage diverse groups of people effectively and efficiently
Ability to handle conflict appropriately and professionally
Must possess the ability to accept constructive review and be accountable for one’s own success as well as the success of your team
Required to make logical, significant decisions using general, recognized analytical skills and techniques
Continually strives to be product minded, customer minded, personnel minded, detailed, forward focused, and consistent
Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is generally performed in a safe and comfortable store environment with the possibility of frequent exposure to cold, hot, slippery, and wet conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to grasp, push, pull, carry, stoop, twist, crouch, and reach; perform tasks requiring repetitive motion and eye, hand, and foot coordination; hear and respond to customer inquiries. Also requires standing, walking, and bending throughout the entire workday and the ability to maneuver heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds from location to location.
