Cook & Chill Production Manager- Berkeley Culinary Center

Whitsons Culinary Group•Berkeley, IL

64d•$85,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we are committed to nourishing our communities through quality, innovation, and care. The Cook/Chill Production Manager plays a key leadership role in ensuring operational excellence, food safety, and production efficiency within our Prepared Meals Division. This position oversees all aspects of kitchen manufacturing operations at the Berkeley, IL facility, including production scheduling, labor management, equipment utilization, and quality assurance. The Cook/Chill Production Manager partners closely with Operations, Culinary, Quality Assurance, and R&D teams to achieve performance targets aligned with Whitsons' core values - delivering safe, high-quality products on time and within cost parameters.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required; culinary certificate or associate degree preferred.
5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or high-volume culinary production.
Proven success managing kitchen operations, production staff, and process improvement initiatives.
Familiarity with large-scale cooking and packaging equipment preferred.
ServSafe Certification or local Food Handler's license required.
Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
In-depth knowledge of production scheduling, batch processes, and kitchen machinery.
Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate effectively in English; bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems (e.g., X3).
Commitment to food safety, quality control, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

culinary certificate or associate degree preferred.
Familiarity with large-scale cooking and packaging equipment preferred.
Ability to communicate effectively in English; bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead daily kitchen operations including batch production, run rates, and equipment efficiency.
Oversee all kitchen manufacturing equipment such as Lyco Cookers/Chillers, Blentech Cookers, Rovema Pouch Fillers, discharge conveyors, and holding tanks, ensuring proper setup, calibration, and maintenance.
Develop and implement daily and weekly production schedules; monitor workflow to optimize efficiency and minimize downtime.
Organize the decanting process to align with batch cycles and production planning.
Manage and track all work orders to ensure on-time completion, accuracy, and closure at end of day.
Partner with Culinary and R&D teams to ensure product specifications, textures, and viscosities meet standards for commercialization batches.
Build, train, and lead a high-performing kitchen team, fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
Set clear goals and performance expectations; provide ongoing coaching and recognition.
Encourage professional growth and development among team members to enhance engagement and retention.
Ensure all production activities meet or exceed Whitsons' SQF (Safe Quality Food) standards and regulatory requirements.
Partner with Quality Assurance and Safety teams to uphold best practices in food safety, sanitation, and occupational safety.
Maintain accurate records of production, safety incidents, and compliance audits.
Drive adherence to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and all company policies related to cleanliness, hygiene, and workplace conduct.
Monitor labor utilization, material usage, and run-time efficiency to control costs and maximize output.
Analyze daily and weekly performance metrics to identify variances and implement corrective actions.
Collaborate with Finance and Operations to manage kitchen budget targets related to labor, waste, and throughput.
Lead problem-solving and process-improvement initiatives using data-driven decision-making.
Partner with cross-functional teams to identify and implement opportunities for automation, waste reduction, and workflow optimization.
Contribute to strategic planning for capacity expansion, technology upgrades, and product innovation.