Production Manager

Creative Dining Services is looking for a Production Manager at a senior living community. The Production Manager works within the Dining Services Department to ensure that high-quality, properly seasoned, nutritious food and menus are provided consistently throughout the operation in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.

This is a key leadership position within a two-person dining services management team. Working closely with the Foodservice Director, the Production Manager helps lead the day-to-day back-of-house operation, supports kitchen staff, maintains strong culinary and food safety standards, and helps ensure residents, guests, clients, and team members receive excellent service.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader who enjoys developing people, improving systems, maintaining high standards, and being directly involved in daily kitchen operations. This role requires someone who is organized, dependable, collaborative, and comfortable serving as a trusted partner to the Foodservice Director in a senior living hospitality environment.

Core Responsibilities:

• Trains, supervises, and manages kitchen staff to ensure consistent food quality, productivity, safety, sanitation, and service standards.
• Partners closely with the Foodservice Director as part of a two-person management team supporting the overall dining services operation.
• Participates in hiring, scheduling, timekeeping, performance appraisals, coaching, and disciplinary actions for kitchen staff.
• Supervises and coordinates culinary activities across the operation; assists the Foodservice Director as needed.
• Supports daily menu execution by developing, selecting, and following recipes in alignment with the CDS Culinary Program.
• Standardizes production of menus and recipes to ensure consistent quality, presentation, portioning, and service throughout the operation.
• Makes food purchases, manages orders and deliveries, and controls inventory in a fiscally responsible and organized manner.
• Selects and works with appropriate vendors within the CDS Purchasing Program.
• Estimates and forecasts food consumption, monitors production volumes, adjusts future production as needed, and supports budgetary controls.
• Maintains organized production records, inventory systems, and other documentation needed for effective kitchen operations.
• Establishes and maintains food quality standards and techniques for food presentation.
• Plans, costs, and prices menus as needed.
• Ensures kitchen equipment is maintained properly and that kitchen, office, and storage areas are clean, organized, safe, and sanitary.
• Ensures the kitchen operates in compliance with sanitation, food safety, and CDS standards.
• Maintains positive public relations with residents, customers, clients, staff, vendors, and the community; helps achieve high levels of customer and client satisfaction.
• Conducts ongoing analysis of production practices and recommends operational improvements to the Foodservice Director.
• Works professionally and cooperatively as a valued member of the dining services management team, assisting with any aspect of the program necessary.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Minimum of 3 years of food service experience.
• ServSafe Certification.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, or kitchen management experience preferred.
• Experience with food production, purchasing, inventory, menu execution, and kitchen organization preferred.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or high-volume food service preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• A positive, can-do attitude and the ability to work well with others in a cooperative, professional manner.
• Strong attention to detail and a well-rounded knowledge of food service operations.
• Ability to lead by example while remaining actively involved in daily kitchen operations.
• Ability to remain organized and effective in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. and work in a commercial kitchen environment that may include hot, humid, or cold temperatures.

We Offer:

• Competitive pay and bonus opportunities
• Ability to access your pay as needed through DailyPay
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, and access to nearly immediate healthcare advice through TextCare
• 401(k) with a company match
• Paid time off
• And much, much more!

About Creative Dining Services

Creative Dining Services partners with colleges, universities, Fortune 100 companies, full-service senior living communities, conference centers, and K-12 schools and camps to provide a different kind of hospitality and facility management services experience – one that’s fun, innovative, and focused on your community. Why? Because that’s how it should be.

Creative Dining Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Veteran-Friendly!