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Food Operations Manager Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Manages all deli and food operations personnel. Supervises food service director and coordinates with training instructors to assure proper up to date marketing and safety aspects of customer service.

Operations Manager The Operations Manager is a key member of the donor center leadership team ... S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Standard Operating Procedures, Occupational Safety ...

Operations Manager

Louisville, KY · On-site

$86K - $115K/yr

Operations Manager - Louisville, KY Travel Required 75-100% (Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana) Are you ready ... food safety and environmental policies and procedures. * Effectively utilize data to manage through ...

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Food Operations Manager information

See Kentucky salary details

$27.8K

$51.8K

$97.7K

How much do food operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for food operations manager in Kentucky is $51,848.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,400.00 and $53,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Food Operations Managers face when overseeing multiple locations?

Food Operations Managers who oversee multiple locations often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent quality standards, ensuring effective communication across teams, and adapting to the unique needs of each site. Balancing inventory, staffing, and compliance with health and safety regulations can also be demanding. Successful managers develop strong organizational systems and foster a culture of accountability to overcome these hurdles and ensure smooth operations.

What does a Food Operations Manager do?

A Food Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of food service establishments, such as restaurants, cafeterias, or catering companies. Their responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring food safety and quality, handling budgets, and optimizing operational efficiency. They also coordinate with suppliers, monitor inventory, and ensure compliance with health regulations. Ultimately, they work to deliver excellent customer service while maintaining profitability.

What is the highest paid job in the food industry?

In the food industry, executive roles such as Food Service Directors, Corporate Chefs, and Food Operations Directors tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced certifications or degrees. Salary levels vary based on company size, location, and responsibilities.

How much should an operations manager get paid?

The salary for a Food Operations Manager typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the operation. In larger organizations or high-cost areas, salaries can exceed $90,000, and additional benefits or bonuses may be included.

What is a food operations manager?

A food operations manager oversees the daily activities of food service establishments, such as restaurants or cafeterias. They manage staff, ensure quality standards, control costs, and maintain health and safety regulations, often using management tools and requiring relevant certifications. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and knowledge of food safety are essential for this role.

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

A Food Operations Manager oversees daily restaurant or food service activities, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency. They manage staff, control inventory, maintain compliance with health regulations, and implement operational procedures to meet business goals.

What is the difference between Food Operations Manager vs Food Service Supervisor?

AspectFood Operations ManagerFood Service Supervisor
CredentialsRelevant certifications (e.g., ServSafe, food safety management)Food safety certifications often required, but less comprehensive
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple locations or departments, strategic planningManages daily operations at a specific location or shift
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in restaurants, catering, hospitality, institutional food servicesCommon in restaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on managerial responsibilities, strategic oversightFocuses on operational, staff supervision

The Food Operations Manager typically handles broader strategic planning and oversees multiple units, requiring relevant certifications and experience. The Food Service Supervisor focuses on daily operational management and staff supervision at a specific location. Both roles are essential in the food service industry but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Operations Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Operations Manager, you need expertise in food safety, inventory management, budgeting, and staff supervision, often supported by a degree in hospitality or business management. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and scheduling software is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you motivate teams and resolve operational challenges. These skills ensure efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and high customer satisfaction in a fast-paced food service environment.
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Food Operations Manager jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Food Operations Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Food Operations Manager job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,848 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Food Service - Park Operations Supervisor

SSA Group

Louisville, KY • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


SSA Group rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 64 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

509th of 729 rated retailers


Job description

Position Title: Food Service - Park Operations Supervisor
Reports to: Assistant Food Service Operations Manager (if applicable) and/or Food Service 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.
Responsibilities
  • Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
  • Ensure all locations, or zones, are adequately stocked, prepped, and staffed for daily operation.
  • Oversees entire park operational duties, ensuring quick service, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards are all met and excelled.
  • Creates daily prep and item lists, delegating to employees as necessary.

  • Actively helps to support operations and fill holes as necessary to ensure smooth service.
  • Maintains a checklist of routine or daily cleaning tasks and ongoing maintenance projects.
  • Assigns associates to duties, coaching through projects, daily tasks, and guest interaction.
  • Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with a report to the operations manager to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigated against further occurrence.
  • Familiar with intermediate food and beverage knowledge, including but not limited to serve-safe food temperatures, FIFO product rotation, safe food handling, food storage and labeling, safe alcohol service, sanitation, and overall area cleanliness.

  • Maintains general organizational upkeep of each outlet's storage areas/back dock spaces within the designated zone.
  • Responsible for general labor forecasting within their designated zone to predict business levels for staffing/prep needs (including the ability to analyze the Daily Snapshot and other forecasting documents).
  • Responsible for daily check-ins with outlets, ensuring that information given to them via preshift meetings each morning is being communicated to team members across their zone.
  • Ability to limit and control waste through maintaining proper prep levels and daily tracking of waste through provided waste logs.
  • Responsible for planning break schedules for all team members within the assigned zone following peak business hours.

  • Maintains consistency with all products and serves products based on the standards set by the operations and culinary team.
  • Ability to create and communicate a plan for the next day regarding staffing, prep, and to-do lists.
  • Implements proper merchandising of product as set by the Operations team.
  • Monitors and controls production of all products in your zone (including but not limited to popcorn, kettle corn, cotton candy, mustard cups, bottled beverages, and other cart items) as specific to your assigned zone.
  • Oversees personnel duties, including but not limited to:

  • Training new employees and issuing performance reviews.
  • Actively managing and issuing progressive documentation to coach and counsel the employee on performance, with oversight from the operations manager.
  • Reports employee attendance and any hour discrepancies to the payroll department. Oversees break and rest break management for employees.
  • Inspects equipment and performs routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
  • Assists the team to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner by helping complete daily tasks as necessary.

  • Remains knowledgeable of and supervises in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
  • Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
  • Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our General Manager and personnel.
  • Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
  • Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
  • Demonstrates multi-tasking, detail, analytical, planning and leadership skills.

  • Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, takes initiative, uses tact and diplomacy.
  • Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
  • Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operate, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
  • Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging
  • Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
  • Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
  • Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.

  • Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus on opportunities of giving back.

Previous Experience
  • One to two years quickservice management and/or operations supervisory experience preferred.
  • All educational backgrounds are eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)
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.
We accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. Apply anytime at thessagroup.com. Applications are reviewed as received, and the position remains open until filled.

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