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Culinary Operations Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

The Chef de Cuisine will lead daily culinary operations and game-day execution for the all ... Support food and labor cost management, including scheduling, ordering, inventory control, waste ...

Culinary Production Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

You will support production, retail food venue, patient meals, and catering operations to ensure ... Health standards Manage ingredient rotation, monitor critical control points, and sanitize ...

Culinary Production Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

You will support production, retail food venue, patient meals, and catering operations to ensure ... Manage ingredient rotation, monitor critical control points, and sanitize equipment to keep food ...

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Communicate performance issues directly to the General Manager/Store Manager. Customer Experience ... Operations & Compliance • Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and ...

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Madison, WI

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Operations & Compliance · Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and ... Food Manager Certification. · Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making ...

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Culinary Operations Manager information

See Madison, WI salary details

$31.3K

$64K

$119.5K

How much do culinary operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary operations manager in Madison, WI is $63,985.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,300.00 and $78,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary operations manager?

Culinary Operations Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of kitchens or food service establishments, ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety standards are met. They manage kitchen staff, coordinate food preparation and presentation, and handle inventory and budgeting. Additionally, they develop menus, enforce health regulations, and implement training programs for the culinary team. Their role is crucial in maintaining smooth kitchen operations and delivering excellent dining experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary operations manager?

To excel as a Culinary Operations Manager, you need strong expertise in culinary arts, food safety standards, and business management, often supported by a degree in hospitality or culinary management. Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale (POS) software, and certifications such as ServSafe are commonly required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are critical soft skills for managing teams and ensuring smooth operations. These competencies ensure consistent food quality, efficient workflows, and high levels of customer satisfaction in a competitive hospitality environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a culinary operations manager and how are they typically addressed?

Culinary Operations Managers often face challenges such as maintaining consistent food quality across multiple outlets, managing inventory costs, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. These challenges are typically addressed by implementing standardized operating procedures, conducting regular staff training, and utilizing technology for inventory and scheduling. Strong communication and collaboration with both kitchen staff and front-of-house teams are crucial to promptly resolve issues and maintain smooth operations. Staying adaptable and proactive in addressing feedback also helps ensure ongoing improvements.

What is the difference between Culinary Operations Manager vs Kitchen Supervisor?

AspectCulinary Operations ManagerKitchen Supervisor
CredentialsRelevant culinary certifications, management experienceFood safety certifications, culinary experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple kitchens or departments, strategic planningManages daily kitchen activities, supervises staff
Employer & IndustryHotels, restaurants, catering companiesRestaurants, institutional kitchens
Search & ComparisonOften compared for managerial roles in culinary settingsCommonly searched for operational oversight roles

The Culinary Operations Manager focuses on strategic management, overseeing multiple kitchens or departments, and ensuring overall operational success. In contrast, the Kitchen Supervisor handles daily kitchen activities and staff supervision. Both roles require culinary experience and certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What does a culinary operations manager do?

A culinary operations manager oversees the daily functions of a food service operation, including managing staff, ensuring food quality and safety, controlling costs, and maintaining operational efficiency. They often coordinate with kitchen staff, implement policies, and may use management tools like inventory systems to ensure smooth restaurant or food service operations.

What is the role of a culinary operations manager in a food operation?

A culinary operations manager oversees the daily food service activities, including menu planning, staff management, quality control, and ensuring compliance with safety and sanitation standards. They coordinate kitchen operations, optimize efficiency, and may be involved in budgeting and training to maintain high culinary standards.

What job categories do people searching Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Madison, WI are:

Office - Administrative Operations Manager

Madison, WI • On-site


SSA Group
Traveler Accommodation • 1 - 5K employees

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 66 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

429th of 738 rated retailers

Free food

Recommended by students

Respectful managers


Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Who are we:
For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.
We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.
Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.
Administrative Operations Manager
Who are we:
For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.
We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.
Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.
Position Title: Administrative Operations Manager
Reports to: General Manager and Assistant General Manager (where applicable)
Responsibilities
  • Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
  • Ensure your department's team is set with the operation in mind: hire & recruit for new talent, integrate new team members, supervise assigned personnel, evaluate performance, develop, coach, issue documentation, and manage employee exits.
  • Contact vendors to reconcile invoice discrepancies, shortages, over shipments or to arrange for emergency shipments or requisitions.
  • Ensures new employee orientation process within guidelines of HQ and Client is administered through partnership with Management team or owning directly through Admin department.
  • Responsible for communicating proper documentation on discrepancies to office & management team regarding employee accountabilities.
  • Communicates quickly and effectively with SSA HQ Team, Director of Audits and Controls, Office Team, Client and Management Team onsite.
  • Is an integral part of the operational team and assists in motivating staff and cultivating a team focus.
  • Develop cash training programs to train, motivate, and mentor employees as necessary to business.
  • Remain knowledgeable and on the foresight of and managing in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws. Communicates and updates to management team at Unit.
  • Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
  • Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.
  • Develop and implement storage systems, policies and procedures to ensure maximum use and efficiency of space and storage areas in warehousing operations.
  • Ensures all HQ reporting and daily cash office operations are overseen and met by Admin team.
  • In the absence of Operational Manager(s) and in times of need assists the business in the performance of their duties.
  • Ensure SSAfety standards are met by upholding training and daily operational expectations for department managers.
  • Ensures that all fiscal deadlines are met to HQ.
  • Provides branch administrative support in the form of answering telephones and word processing.
  • Develops and analyzes trend reports, graphs and other analytical information for General Manager and other managers.
  • Responsible for administering HQ Accounts Payable software, and its related transmissions and reports.
  • Responsible for all major reporting including, but not limited to the Gross Sales Report, OFR, Trial Balance Reports, and Sales by Stand.
  • Manage payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines. Meet payroll budget percent expectations for admin department by being strategic with coverage, on-call shifts, etc.
  • Schedule appropriate staff levels in accordance with budget and business forecast.
  • Promote an inclusive & supportive approach at the Unit.
  • Supports unit in being an example for Company & Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts. Displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
  • Supports SSA / Unit in driving community effort through hiring efforts, engagement activities, and focus on opportunities of giving back.
  • Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
Job Requirements
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our partner, General Manager and HQ personnel.
  • Developed leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
  • Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills that are combined with the ability to be organized.
  • Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
  • Computer and/or inventory system knowledge.
  • Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbx - 50lbs or more) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting and perform all functions as set forth above.
  • Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
  • Driving company vehicle and/or golf cart within the scope of employment requires a valid driver's license and is subject to a DMV check.
  • Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (up to 35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
  • Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
Previous Experience
  • Five years of cash handling experience.
  • Three to five years of administrative management and/or cash room experience.
  • ServSafe or Food Handling Certified is a plus.
  • All education backgrounds accepted, must be 18 years old or older.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. The people department reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e. Emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)
Compensation and Benefits
  • Full-Time, non-exempt, eligible for overtime pay.
  • Paid Time Off plan: up to 144 hours based on tenure.
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
  • Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
  • SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Leave and your or your family's serious medical conditions.
  • Up to 40 hours of Paid Bereavement.
  • On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
  • Meal Plan & Employee Discounts, where applicable
  • Tuition Discount through Partnership College
  • Holiday pay of 1.5x the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
  • Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.
SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.
All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").
San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.
SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.
All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").
San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.


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