Kitchen Lead Commissary
il y a 3 jours
Albuquerque
Job Description Position Summary: The Kitchen Lead is responsible for leading daily operations in the commissary kitchen. This includes supervising the prep, packing, and delivery teams to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality food production. The Kitchen Lead plays a vital role in enforcing food safety, managing prep lists and inventory, coordinating delivery logistics, and maintaining a clean, efficient, and compliant work environment. This individual must be hands-on, highly organized, and capable of directing a diverse team to meet daily goals. Key Responsibilities: 1. Team Supervision and Shift Leadership ● Supervise and lead all commissary kitchen personnel including prep cooks, packers, porters, and delivery staff. ● Assign daily responsibilities and oversee task execution to ensure all duties are completed on time and up to standard. ● Set expectations and lead by example in professionalism, cleanliness, urgency, and teamwork. ● Monitor performance, identify training needs, and provide coaching and corrective feedback when necessary. ● Enforce company policies, including uniform standards and safety protocols. ● Assist in onboarding and training of new team members. 2. Daily Prep List Management ● Review production schedules, par levels, order sheets, and inventory reports to develop accurate prep lists for the team. ● Break down prep tasks by station and assign duties based on skill level and workload. ● Adjust prep priorities in real-time based on new orders, production delays, or shortages. ● Conduct mid-shift and end-of-shift walkthroughs to confirm prep tasks are completed, labeled, and stored correctly. ● Ensure all prepped items are labeled with name, prep date, use-by date, and initials per company standards. 3. Packing and Order Staging Oversight ● Ensure accuracy and completeness of all packed goods for store fulfillment, catering orders, and wholesale accounts. ● Cross-check packing slips and prep logs to verify correct quantities and item specifications. ● Monitor packing process for consistency in portion size, container type, labeling, and product freshness. ● Ensure all orders are correctly staged for pick-up or delivery, with perishable items kept in temperature-controlled environments until dispatch. ● Coordinate with store managers or drivers regarding substitutions, shortages, or delays. 4. Delivery Coordination Support ● Confirm departure times, routes, and order accuracy with delivery drivers. ● Assist with loading vehicles and verifying that food safety (hot/cold holding) requirements are met. ● Maintain clear records of what was sent out, including backhauls and returns. ● Help troubleshoot missed items, missed routes, or vehicle issues in coordination with the Commissary Manager. 5. Inventory Management and Waste Tracking ● Conduct daily raw ingredient and finished product counts; report to manager for reordering. ● Ensure FIFO (first in, first out) is consistently practiced. ● Maintain organized dry storage, cold storage, and freezer areas with clearly labeled bins and shelving. ● Track waste, overproduction, and spoilage, and communicate trends or concerns to management. ● Provide daily updates on inventory variances and assist with weekly counts or cycle audits. 6. Food Safety and Sanitation Compliance ● Ensure all food safety and health department standards are being met at all times. ● Oversee completion of all required logs, including temperature checks, sanitizer logs, prep logs, and cleaning checklists. ● Monitor glove usage, handwashing, proper thawing/cooling techniques, and cross-contamination prevention. ● Conduct periodic internal audits and correct any violations immediately. ● Ensure daily and weekly deep cleaning tasks are assigned and completed. ● Report maintenance needs for any equipment that may pose a safety or sanitation risk. 7. Administrative and Operational Duties ● Submit all shift paperwork, including completed prep logs, temp logs, and cleaning checklists, at the end of each day. ● Attend operational meetings and participate in weekly planning with Commissary Manager and Store Managers. ● Communicate clearly via email or phone with internal departments regarding delays, changes, or special requests. ● Document team performance concerns, safety violations, or production issues for review with upper leadership. ● Identify areas for improvement in processes, workflow, or training and provide feedback to management. Qualifications ● Minimum 2 years of kitchen lead or supervisory experience, preferably in a commissary, catering production, or multi-unit support environment ● ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent (or willing to obtain within 30 days of hire) ● Ability to lead a diverse team in a high-volume, fast-paced environment ● Strong communication skills, including verbal coaching and written documentation ● Comfortable with technology such as Google Sheets, email, Jolt, or other inventory/logging systems ● Proficient in reading and scaling recipes, portioning, and batch cooking ● Ability to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work in cold or hot environments Performance Indicators ● Prep list accuracy and timeliness ● Team efficiency and accountability ● Food safety compliance and audit readiness ● Inventory accuracy and waste reduction ● Consistency in product quality and order fulfillment ● Leadership effectiveness and communication By applying to this job, you agree to receive periodic text messages from this employer and Homebase about your pending job application. 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