Job Description

Join our Fresh Food Production (FFP) team at our new Micro Kitchen in New York! FFP is a groundbreaking initiative by Whole Foods Market committed to delivering top-quality food at scale. Our best-in-class FFP facilities will optimize quality, food safety, and execution consistency for prepared fresh food for Whole Foods Market.

The New York Micro Kitchen Operations Associate Team Leader (Ops ATL) reports to the Team Leader and oversees a diverse team of supervisors and team members. The Ops ATL supports the Team Leader in managing and supervising the Production teams in a micro kitchen facility. Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, managing expenses, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting special projects. The role prioritizes supporting WFM core values, promoting facility initiatives, and maintaining health and safety standards.



Location: The Micro Kitchen is located in Long Island City, NY, and this will be an onsite role.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the daily operations of the production team, including assigning tasks, providing guidance, and ensuring all production and packaging targets are met and safety protocols are followed.
• Assist Team Leader in analyzing production reports, inventory management reports, and labor for maintaining efficiency and meeting targets.
• Build a positive work environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale.
• Work with Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues.
• Assist Team Leader with interviewing, selecting, training, developing, and counseling Team Members in a way that builds and sustains a high-performing team and minimizes turnover.
• Work collaboratively with Team Leaders and Team Member Services on Team Member relations including proper documentation, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Communicate and maintain Team Member safety and security standards.
• Achieve all required productivity, safety, and labor targets in partnership with Team Leader.
• Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with Global and Regional teams supported by Facility Leadership.
• Assist Team Leader in providing accurate, complete information in daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and “ad hoc” management reports.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of, and ensure compliance with relevant regularity rules and standards, including OSHA, FMLA, HACCP, FSMA, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Department of Labor, Health and Sanitation, FDA, Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree and 2-4 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 18+ months of food production facility experience and 6+ months of supervisory experience in the food manufacturing industry.

• Prior management experience not required but may have informally led teams or performed in a team lead type of role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain management, environmental health and safety, and OSHA.
• Basic computer skills; proficiency in select Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); and ability to learn custom applications.
• Understanding of financials and P&L statements.
• Basic understanding of ERP processes within a food manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work well with others, self-motivated, and capable of working independently with little supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility, including nights, weekends and holidays as required.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders including Team Members, customers suppliers, and regulators.
• A genuine passion for food and a deep commitment to our mission of nurturing both people and the planet.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must adhere to company dress code and standards of production kitchen dress and PPE (personal protective equipment).
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodation.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• May require use of ladders.

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