Director of Food Production

Director of Food Production
Our client in Salt Lake City, UT, has an immediate opening for a Director of Food Production on a direct-hire basis.


Company Profile:
Established specialty grocery retail organization with a strong market presence
Collaborative, team-oriented workplace culture
Passionate focus on quality, service, and community


Director of Food Production:
Are you a results-driven food production leader with experience managing high-volume central kitchens, commissaries, or food manufacturing operations? We are seeking a Director of Food Production to lead a production facility and ensure the safe, efficient, and consistent preparation of high-quality food distributed across the state.
In this senior leadership role, you will oversee large-scale food production, quality assurance, food safety, staff development, inventory, equipment, packaging, and distribution coordination. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operations leader who is passionate about food quality, continuous improvement, and building high-performing teams.
Lead and oversee all central food production activities, ensuring products are prepared safely, consistently, efficiently, and on schedule.
Manage the production of prepared foods for distribution.
Create and maintain production schedules that support demand, inventory needs, product freshness, and delivery deadlines.
Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures for food production, sanitation, quality control, packaging, and equipment use.
Maintain high standards for food quality, freshness, taste, presentation, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Conduct routine production audits, quality checks, taste tests, and sanitation inspections.
Investigate and resolve food quality, safety, equipment, inventory, or production issues quickly and effectively.
Ensure compliance with HACCP standards, food safety regulations, sanitation requirements, and company policies.
Partner with culinary leadership and product development teams to launch new menu items, seasonal products, and retail-ready offerings.
Manage product assortment, ingredient availability, inventory levels, and production capacity across departments.
Lead, coach, train, and develop production supervisors, line cooks, prep staff, packaging associates, and other food production team members.
Provide direct, constructive performance feedback and support employee development, accountability, promotion, and corrective action processes.
Oversee equipment maintenance, sanitation, safe operation, and replacement planning.
Identify opportunities for equipment upgrades, workflow improvements, automation, cost reduction, and increased production efficiency.
Track and analyze production KPIs, including output, waste, labor, product quality, cost, inventory, and on-time delivery performance.
Collaborate with purchasing and procurement teams to optimize ingredients and supply costs while maintaining product quality.
Coordinate with fleet and distribution teams to ensure accurate, timely delivery of products to all locations.
Establish packaging standards that protect food quality, safety, freshness, and presentation during transportation.
Set a professional, positive, hands-on example for team members and support the overall success of the department.


Director of Food Production Background Profile:
The ideal candidate is an experienced food production, central kitchen, commissary kitchen, culinary manufacturing, or retail food operations leader who can manage high-volume production while maintaining uncompromising food safety and quality standards.
Five or more years of leadership experience in food production, central kitchen operations, commissary kitchens, food manufacturing, retail food production, or a related environment.
Experience leading large-scale food production for distribution or multi-location operations.
Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, quality assurance, HACCP standards, and regulatory compliance.
Current Food Handlers Permit or the ability to obtain and maintain required food safety credentials.
Experience managing production schedules, labor, inventory, ingredient purchasing, and operational budgets.
Experience with inventory management systems and production planning software.
Proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold accountable diverse production teams.
Strong understanding of food production equipment, maintenance, sanitation, and safe equipment operation.
Ability to analyze operational data, identify inefficiencies, and implement process improvements.
Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong attention to detail and a consistent commitment to quality, food safety, and customer satisfaction.
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Bachelors degree in Food Science, Business, Culinary Arts, Operations, or a related field is a plus.
Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as business needs require.


Features and Benefits:
Comprehensive Health, Life, Vision, and Dental insurance plans
Generous PTO
401(k) with company match
Career development and advancement opportunities
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