What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Production Manager position at Pressed Cafe?
About Us
At Pressed Cafe, we believe exceptional food and drink start with quality ingredients and a passion for hospitality. Our all-day menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, paired with great coffee and fast, friendly service.
Pressed Cafe is an emerging, high-growth premium quick-casual restaurant company with a strong regional presence and exciting expansion plans. With multiple locations today and an aggressive development pipeline, we are building the infrastructure to scale significantly over the next several years. As a founder-led organization, we remain deeply committed to hospitality, culture, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
At the heart of everything we do is our mission: Great People, Great Food, Great Coffee.
About the Role
The Commissary Production Manager is a key leader responsible for overseeing all commissary and food manufacturing operations at Pressed Cafe. This role owns high-volume production, plant operations, food safety, and quality assurance, ensuring consistency and excellence across a rapidly growing, multi-unit restaurant group.
Reporting directly to the Director of Commissary, this individual will play a critical role in scaling production, improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and supporting new store openings and product innovation.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, results-driven leader with a strong background in food service and manufacturing who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee all commissary production, including mass production, food processing, and daily operational needs
- Manage plant operations, equipment, and production workflows to ensure efficiency, consistency, and scalability
- Lead high-volume food manufacturing operations in compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Own food safety and quality assurance programs, including HACCP and PCQI standards
- Maintain strict sanitation, safety, and regulatory compliance across the facility
- Conduct regular audits, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions to ensure product consistency and quality
- Drive financial performance by managing labor, controlling food costs, and improving production efficiency
- Analyze variances and implement cost-saving strategies to improve margins and reduce waste
- Partner with leadership on recipe development, menu engineering, and new product rollouts
- Scale recipes for mass production while maintaining Pressed Café’s quality and brand standards
- Lead, train, and develop cross-functional teams across production, culinary, and quality assurance
- Build a strong culture of accountability, food safety, and operational excellence
- Develop and refine SOPs to support consistency, scalability, and growth
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production and commissary operations
- Report on key performance metrics and operational updates to the Director of Commissary
What You Bring
- 7–15 years of experience in food service, commissary, or food manufacturing environments
- Proven experience managing high-volume production and scaling operations
- Strong leadership experience with the ability to build, develop, and lead teams in a fast-paced environment
- Deep knowledge of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance (HACCP, GMP, PCQI)
- Experience managing labor, food costs, and driving operational efficiency
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams
- Bilingual (preferred but not required)
- A hands-on leadership style with a passion for great food and continuous improvement
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.