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Production Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Production Chef

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

You must have a minimum of 5 years experience with Turkish Cuisine, in a fast pace high volume environment Main Responsibilities of a Production Chef: Full ownership of production schedule in the ...

Production Chef/Line Cook

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

As a Production Chef at EatFlavorly, you will play a crucial role in meal preparation and production in a high-volume, commercial kitchen setting. You will be responsible for ensuring the highest ...

Production Chef

Waukesha, WI ยท On-site

$17/hr

Zilli Hospitality Group is seeking a dedicated and hands-on Production Chef to join our catering team. This role is responsible for producing high-quality hot and cold menu items while maintaining ...

Production Chef

Waukesha, WI ยท On-site

$17/hr

Zilli Hospitality Group is seeking a dedicated and hands-on Production Chef to join our catering team. This role is responsible for producing high-quality hot and cold menu items while maintaining ...

Lead Production Chef - Join Our Award-Winning Culinary Team! The JDK Group is Central PA's premier custom catering and event-planning company, and we are excited to welcome a Lead Production Chef to ...

Production Chef/Line Cook

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

As a Production Chef at EatFlavorly, you will play a crucial role in meal preparation and production in a high-volume, commercial kitchen setting. You will be responsible for ensuring the highest ...

Lead Production Chef

Camp Hill, PA ยท On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Lead Production Chef - Join Our Award-Winning Culinary Team! The JDK Group is Central PA's premier custom catering and event-planning company, and we are excited to welcome a Lead Production Chef to ...

Production Chef

Chesterfield, MO ยท On-site

$15.50 - $18/hr

... Chef immediately. * Communicate proactively up and across the brigade -- ingredient shortages, quality deviations, timing concerns, and any factor that could affect the day's production should be ...

Production Chef/Line Cook

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

As a Production Chef at EatFlavorly, you will play a crucial role in meal preparation and production in a high-volume, commercial kitchen setting. You will be responsible for ensuring the highest ...

Salary: $18-22.00 Lead Production Chef Join Our Award-Winning Culinary Team! The JDK Group is Central PAs premier custom catering and event-planning company, and we are excited to welcome a Lead ...

Bakery Production Chef

Oxford, MS

$11.25 - $14/hr

We are seeking a skilled and efficient Production Chef to lead cake production at our Oxford, MS bakery, which supplies high-quality cakes exclusively for Newk's Eatery locations. This position is ...

Production Chef

Woodbury, CT ยท On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Participate in food production for the department's multiple food programs. * Practice the highest standards of knife skills. * Must follow standardized recipes as written to produce consistent ...

Bakery Production Chef

Oxford, MS

$11.25 - $14/hr

We are seeking a skilled and efficient Production Chef to lead cake production at our Oxford, MS bakery, which supplies high-quality cakes exclusively for Newk's Eatery locations. This position is ...

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Production Chef information

See salary details

$29.5K

$70.9K

$114K

How much do production chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for production chef in the United States is $70,872.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,000.00 and $80,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Production Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Production Chef, you need strong culinary expertise, time management, and a solid understanding of food safety standards, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with large-scale kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and HACCP protocols is typically required. Leadership, teamwork, and clear communication are vital soft skills for efficiently coordinating kitchen staff and maintaining high production standards. These skills ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and adherence to safety regulations in high-volume food service environments.

What is a Production Chef?

A Production Chef is a culinary professional responsible for preparing large quantities of food, often for institutions like schools, hospitals, or catering companies. Their role involves planning menus, supervising kitchen staff, ensuring food safety standards, and efficiently producing meals in bulk. Production Chefs focus on consistency, quality control, and meeting production deadlines while managing kitchen operations and resources. They may also be involved in ordering supplies and maintaining equipment to ensure smooth kitchen workflow.

How does a Production Chef typically collaborate with other kitchen staff to manage high-volume meal preparation?

A Production Chef plays a key leadership role in coordinating with line cooks, prep staff, and kitchen assistants to ensure smooth, efficient meal production, especially in high-volume settings like catering or institutional kitchens. They often delegate specific tasks, oversee quality control, and maintain clear communication to meet tight deadlines and consistency standards. Collaboration is essential, as the Production Chef must integrate input from front-of-house managers and adapt to last-minute changes or dietary requests while maintaining a positive team environment.

What is the difference between Production Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectProduction ChefLine Cook
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent experienceHigh school diploma or culinary training
Work EnvironmentKitchen, overseeing multiple stations and staffKitchen station, preparing specific dishes
Industry UsageRestaurants, catering, food production facilitiesRestaurants, hotels, catering services
ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, staff management, quality controlFood preparation, cooking, station setup

The main difference between a Production Chef and a Line Cook lies in their responsibilities and scope of work. A Production Chef typically oversees multiple stations, manages staff, and handles menu planning, while a Line Cook focuses on preparing specific dishes at their station. Both roles require culinary skills, but the Production Chef has a broader managerial and planning role within the kitchen environment.

More about Production Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Production Chef jobs? Cities with the most Production Chef job openings:
What states have the most Production Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Production Chef jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Production Chef jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Production Chef jobs are:
Infographic showing various Production Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,872 per year, or $34.1 per hour.
Production Chef

Production Chef

Personal Touch Food Service

Orchard Park, NY โ€ข On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Production Chef is responsible for the day-to-day culinary production operations at the commissary, ensuring all meals meet USDA meal pattern requirements, nutrition standards, and food safety regulations. This role translates standardized, USDA-compliant recipes into high-quality, appealing meals produced at scale, while maintaining compliance with HACCP protocols. The Production Chef works under the direction of the Commissary Manager to execute the master production schedule across all served sites.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Culinary Production and Menu Execution
Execute a variety of different cycles including USDA-approved cycle menus and standardized recipes with consistency in yield, portion size, and quality. Adapt recipes for scratch-cooking, speed-scratch, or batch cooking as directed, while preserving nutrient content and meal pattern compliance (calories, sodium, whole grains, milk, fruit and vegetable components). Conduct recipe testing, tasting panels, and menu development support in collaboration with the Commissary Manager and Registered Dietitian. Monitor food quality, presentation, temperature, and taste standards at point of production.
Food Safety and Compliance
Enforce HACCP-based Standard Operating Procedures at all critical control points. Maintain accurate production records, temperature logs, and time and temperature control documentation required for USDA administrative review. Ensure compliance with local health department codes and USDA food safety guidelines. Support allergen management protocols and special dietary accommodation procedures.
Inventory and Production Planning
Forecast production quantities based on daily meal counts and site orders. Communicate ingredients and supply needs to the Commissary Manager for procurement. Minimize food waste through proper production forecasting, batch cooking, and utilization of leftovers within USDA guidelines. Conduct or assist with inventory counts and rotation using first-in, first-out procedures.
Equipment and Facility
Ensure proper use, cleaning, and maintenance of kitchen equipment. Report on equipment malfunctions or facility issues to the Commissary Manager. Maintain sanitation standards throughout production areas.
Delivery Support
Operate commissary delivery vehicles to transport prepared meals, food products, and supplies to satellite school sites as needed, following all applicable traffic laws and district vehicle safety policies. Ensure food is transported at safe holding temperatures during transit in accordance with USDA and health department guidelines. Assist with loading and unloading delivery vehicles and verify accuracy of site orders upon delivery. Maintain delivery logs and report any vehicle issues to the Commissary Manager.
Reporting and Communication
Provide daily and weekly production reports to the Commissary Manager. Communicate with satellite site managers regarding delivery schedules, special menu items, or substitutions. Participate in USDA administrative reviews and audits as needed.
Requirements
Required
  • Valid NYS Drivers license required
  • 3 or more years of high-volume food production experience in an institutional, school nutrition, healthcare, or commercial kitchen setting.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent, obtained within 30 to 90 days of hire.
  • Working knowledge of USDA meal pattern requirements and Child Nutrition Program regulations, or willingness to be trained. Supervisory experience preferred. Culinary degree, formal apprenticeship, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred
  • Experience with school nutrition software such as production and inventory systems (Nutrikids, Mosaic and LINQ).
  • Familiarity with HACCP documentation and audit processes.
  • Experience scaling recipes for large-batch or institutional production.
  • Must have basic computer skills including Microsoft office.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work in hot and cold kitchen environments.
  • Early morning start times required due to commissary production schedules.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Commissary Manager
Salary Description
23.00-25.00