Operations Manager

Elephants Delicatessen • Portland, OR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Manager is a key leadership role at Elephants Delicatessen, responsible for the daily production operations across our Central Kitchen and Milwaukie Kitchen. This role ensures our kitchens run efficiently, our teams are supported and accountable, and our food meets the exceptional standards Elephants is known for. You will bridge day-to-day execution with strategic operational improvement — using data, systems, and people leadership to drive performance across both kitchen locations. This position is a great fit for someone who thrives in a fast-paced food production environment, leads with clarity and accountability, and is passionate about building high-performing teams that take pride in the food they make.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Food Technology, or Business Administration; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in food production, manufacturing, or foodservice operations, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience managing production or culinary teams of 20+ individuals.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations including HACCP, FDA, and USDA standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and data management tools including SharePoint and tablet-based tracking systems.
• Ability to interpret production and cost data and translate findings into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Valid Oregon Food Handler’s Card required.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written).
• Reliable transportation is required.
• Dependable transportation to and from our kitchens is essential.

Nice To Haves

• Intermediate Spanish proficiency a plus for effective communication with production team members.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, KPI dashboards, or labor management software is a bonus.
• This position requires use of your own vehicle to travel between company sites.

Responsibilities

• Leading daily kitchen operations at both Central Kitchen and Milwaukie Kitchen, including stand-up meetings, production scheduling, and real-time issue resolution.
• Executing the labor plan and adjusting staffing in real time; managing callouts and coverage in collaboration with Kitchen and Bakery Managers to consistently hit labor targets.
• Reviewing production data including UPLH, UPM, labor %, yield, and waste in collaboration with the Production team; supporting identification of inefficiencies and driving corrective action.
• Building weekly performance and cost reports with Kitchen and Bakery Managers and Supply Chain; presenting KPI results, variance explanations, and recommendations to leadership.
• Overseeing cross-functional teams including the Menu Manager, Production Team, and Office Coordinators to drive consistency, quality, and efficiency across all production processes.
• Enforcing HACCP and food safety standards daily; coordinating USDA and ODA compliance issues with the QA team; maintaining compliance readiness on the production floor.
• Leading hiring, onboarding, training, and performance accountability; cultivating a culture of inclusion and professional growth in coordination with the HR Generalist and Kitchen and Bakery Managers.
• Participating in leadership development, menu planning meetings, and strategic initiatives that support the long-term growth of Elephants’ production operations.

Benefits

• Employer contributed vacation and sick time
• Kaiser Medical coverage, with alternative care as a bonus (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, etc.)
• Mental Health Services
• Dental
• FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Training that will fast-track your culinary/hospitality career
• Free counseling and financial services
• Opportunities for advancement
• Discounts on our delicious made-from-scratch food
• Pet insurance
• Chance to win employee raffles
• Discounts at Sketchers, Shoes for Crews, Verizon, Sprint, select B Corporations, and many more
• A commitment to inclusion, diversity, community involvement, employee well-being, and environmental protection

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager