Food Production Facility Manager
Lead the Kitchen Behind the Kitchen.
Do you thrive in fast-paced production environments where quality, efficiency, and leadership matter every day? Are you passionate about food safety, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams?
Simply Salad is looking for an experienced Food Production Facility Manager to oversee the daily operations of our Commissary—the heart of our business that prepares and distributes fresh ingredients to all Simply Salad locations.
This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on leader who enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and making a direct impact on food quality and company growth.
About Simply Salad
Founded in 2010 by Bruce Teichman and Cameron Lewis, Simply Salad was built on a simple idea: everyone deserves access to healthy, fresh, flavorful, and affordable food that's fast and convenient.
Today, we proudly serve communities throughout Greater Los Angeles, and we're just getting started. As we continue to grow, we're looking for passionate leaders who want to help build the future of fresh food with us.
Why Join Simply Salad?
At Simply Salad, we believe great food starts with great people.
As our Food Production Facility Manager, you'll lead a dedicated team, help shape our production processes, and play a critical role in ensuring every restaurant receives the highest-quality ingredients every single day.
If you're ready to take ownership of a growing operation and build something meaningful, we'd love to meet you.
Position Summary
The Food Production Facility Manager is responsible for leading all daily operations within Simply Salad's Commissary. This role oversees production, inventory, logistics, food safety, quality assurance, maintenance, budgeting, and team development while ensuring our restaurants receive fresh products on time and to the highest standards.
This position requires a proactive leader who is equally comfortable managing people, improving systems, and working alongside the team when needed.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Production
- Lead all daily food preparation and production activities within the Commissary.
- Ensure restaurants receive fresh ingredients and supplies through efficient production planning and logistics.
- Develop and manage production schedules to meet daily operational demands.
- Oversee large-volume inventory management, purchasing, and supply ordering.
- Coordinate multi-location deliveries and supply distribution six days per week.
- Support restaurant General Managers with inventory planning and procedural best practices.
- Protect the confidentiality and consistency of Simply Salad's proprietary recipes and production methods.
Food Safety & Quality
- Ensure all products consistently meet Simply Salad's standards for freshness, quality, and presentation.
- Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness throughout the facility.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, and all applicable food safety regulations.
- Lead internal inspections, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Promote a culture centered on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
Leadership & Team Development
- Recruit, train, coach, and develop Commissary production staff and delivery drivers.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.
- Conduct performance management, coaching, and team-building initiatives.
- Lead by example through a hands-on management style and a commitment to operational excellence.
Logistics & Supply Chain
- Manage relationships with vendors and suppliers while identifying opportunities to reduce cost of goods.
- Coordinate deliveries to all Simply Salad restaurant locations.
- Monitor labor utilization and maintain staffing levels that align with company goals.
- Develop efficient systems that improve productivity while maintaining exceptional product quality.
Facilities & Financial Management
- Oversee facility maintenance and preventative maintenance programs to ensure equipment reliability.
- Maintain positive relationships with property management, landlords, and neighboring businesses.
- Ensure exterior and shared facility areas remain clean and well maintained.
- Develop and manage operating budgets.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.
- Prepare operational reports and present key performance metrics to senior leadership.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in food manufacturing or food production.
- At least 3 years of leadership or plant/facility management experience.
- Previous restaurant operations experience required.
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA, OSHA, sanitation, and quality systems.
- Experience managing inventory, production scheduling, and food distribution logistics.
- Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
- Experience working with automated food processing equipment.
- Current Food Manager Certification.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Willingness to temporarily work in Van Nuys for approximately 6–12 months before relocating to the South Gate facility.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to multitask and perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Positive, solution-oriented mindset with a strong sense of urgency.
- Passion for food safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Commitment to serving and supporting team members.
- Willingness to learn and embrace Simply Salad's unique systems and procedures.
- Flexible schedule, including the ability to work six days per week when business needs require and respond to facility emergencies.
Compensation & Benefits
Simply Salad offers a competitive compensation package that includes:
- Competitive salary
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development and leadership training
Join Our Mission
At Simply Salad, we're passionate about making healthy eating simple, convenient, and accessible for everyone. As our Food Production Facility Manager, you'll play a critical leadership role in delivering fresh, high-quality food to thousands of guests while helping build the future of our growing company.
If you're an experienced operations leader who enjoys building teams, improving systems, and making a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us bring fresh food to more communities—one meal at a time.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Simply Salad is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.