About this role
At Ardens Garden , we are committed to fueling our communities with fresh, cold-pressed juices, plant-based meals, and wellness-driven products made daily. The Kitchen Manager – Production is a highly skilled culinary and operational leader responsible for overseeing all batching, plant-based prep, cold-press production, and kitchen execution.
This role ensures the highest standards of freshness, food safety, consistency, and efficiency in a high-volume production environment. The Kitchen Manager leads from the front — setting the pace, maintaining excellence, and developing a strong, accountable production team.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Production & Execution
- Oversee daily production of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, plant-based meals, wellness shots, and grab-and-go items
- Manage batching, recipe scaling, and production scheduling to meet retail and wholesale demand
- Ensure strict adherence to standardized recipes and portion controls
- Monitor product quality, flavor consistency, texture, and appearance
- Oversee cold-press operations, juice extraction processes, and plant-based food preparation
- Maintain production flow to ensure on-time delivery to retail locations
Food Safety & Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal food safety regulations
- Enforce sanitation procedures across prep tables, cold-press machines, bottling lines, and storage areas
- Oversee temperature logs, production logs, labeling accuracy, and shelf-life management
- Ensure FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory practices are strictly followed
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop production team members across prep, batching, juicing, bottling, and packaging
- Create efficient production schedules aligned with demand forecasting
- Train team members on equipment use, safety standards, and Ardens Garden quality expectations
- Hold team accountable to speed, precision, and cleanliness standards
- Foster a culture rooted in wellness, teamwork, urgency, and pride in product
Inventory & Cost Management
- Oversee raw ingredient inventory including produce, plant-based ingredients, dry goods, and packaging materials
- Monitor yield and minimize product waste
- Partner with purchasing to forecast volume needs
- Track production metrics to maintain cost efficiency and productivity goals
Equipment & Facility Oversight
- Ensure proper operation and maintenance of cold-press machines, grinders, mixers, sealers, and refrigeration systems
- Coordinate preventative maintenance and repairs
- Maintain a clean, organized, inspection-ready production facility
Core Competencies
- Strong operational leadership
- Advanced knowledge of batching and production scaling
- Detail-oriented with a high quality standard
- Process-driven and efficiency-focused
- Strong communicator and team motivator
- Physically able to stand for extended periods and lift 50+ lbs
What Success Looks Like
- Products consistently meet Ardens Garden quality standards
- Production runs on schedule with minimal waste
- Health inspections and audits are seamless
- Team members are trained, engaged, and accountable
- Retail stores receive fresh, accurate, and timely deliveries
At Ardens Garden , we dont just make juice — we make wellness accessible. The Kitchen Manager plays a critical role in ensuring every bottle and every meal reflects our commitment to freshness, integrity, and community health.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- 5+ years of high-volume culinary or food production experience
- 2–3 years of leadership experience in a production kitchen, commissary, or food manufacturing environment
- Experience with juice production, batching, plant-based preparation, or cold-press systems strongly preferred
- Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP principles, and regulatory compliance
- Lean Manufacturing knowledge (strongly preferred)
- Experience managing production teams in fast-paced environments