Kitchen Manager- Berkeley Culinary Center

Kitchen Manager – Lead Quality, Power Efficiency, Drive Excellence!

Do you have a passion for high-volume kitchen production and the operational talent to match? Join Whitsons Culinary Group as a Kitchen Manager and play a vital role in delivering safe, consistent, and high-quality meals to thousands every day.

From running cook/chill lines to managing labor and optimizing production schedules, this is your opportunity to lead a fast-paced culinary manufacturing environment where every process matters—and every improvement makes a difference.

What You’ll Do:

Oversee Daily Production Operations
Manage and monitor all aspects of kitchen manufacturing, including run rates, labor, quality control, and food safety.

Lead with Technical Know-How
Work hands-on with equipment like Lyco Cookers, Blentech Systems, Rovema pouch fillers, and more to ensure optimal settings and performance.

Schedule & Optimize
Develop production schedules, coordinate decanting with batch cycles, and make real-time adjustments to increase throughput and reduce downtime.

Track & Report
Ensure work orders are accurate and completed on time. Monitor labor efficiency, product counts, and cost benchmarks.

Develop Your Team
Mentor, motivate, and grow your kitchen staff—your leadership will be measured by their success and engagement.

Support R&D & Commercialization
Collaborate with our culinary innovation team to translate new recipes into scalable, repeatable, and texture-consistent batch programs.

Uphold Safety & Quality Standards
Champion food safety, SQF protocols, and occupational safety practices in every step of the production process.

Meet Operational KPIs
Drive results that align with Whitsons’ key performance indicators in customer service, efficiency, and inventory accuracy.

What You Bring:

Strong knowledge of food production equipment and kitchen operations
High school diploma required; culinary certificate preferred
ServSafe or local food handler certification
Microsoft Office proficiency; experience with ERP systems like X3 a plus
Experience managing and training production staff
Spanish/English bilingual preferred

Physical & Work Environment:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand/walk most of the day
• Work includes exposure to hot and cold environments and moderate to loud noise
• Occasional evening/weekend work or travel may be required

Why Join Us?

•  Leadership role with room to grow
•  Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
•  Paid Time Off
•  401K with Company Match
•  Purpose-driven culture built around quality, care, and continuous improvement

About Whitsons:

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we’re not just producing food—we’re Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™. As our next Kitchen Production Manager, you’ll ensure that every batch delivers the safety, flavor, and care our communities deserve.

Ready to lead a kitchen that feeds thousands?
Apply now and make your impact count—every day, every plate.

Salary 85K+ dependent on experience

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

 

Education:

• High School or Similar degree required
• Culinary certificate preferred

 

Certifications:

• ServSafe or Local Food Handlers Ordinance

 

Computer Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft office suite
• X3

 

Other Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Ability to manage and train staff
• Bi