Cold Kitchen Assembly Lead

The Cold Kitchen Assembly Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Cold Kitchen Assembly area within a high-volume aviation catering environment. This role leads and supports Cold Kitchen Assembly team members to ensure airline meals are assembled accurately, safely, and on schedule while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and operational efficiency. The Cold Kitchen Assembly Lead serves as the first point of contact for team members on the floor and is responsible for assigning work, monitoring productivity, training employees, and ensuring compliance with HACCP, GMP, airline specifications, and company policies.

This position partners closely with Culinary, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Human Resources to maintain a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Lead daily Cold Kitchen Assembly operations to ensure airline meals are assembled accurately and delivered on schedule.
• Assign workstations and daily responsibilities to Cold Kitchen Assembly team members based on production requirements.
• Monitor production flow and staffing levels to ensure productivity and service level expectations are met.
• Ensure meal trays, salads, desserts, breads, condiments, and other cold food items are assembled according to airline specifications and production schedules.
• Review production charts, diagrams, and work orders to ensure proper quantities and configurations are followed.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks while maintaining quality and operational efficiency.
• Escalate operational issues to management as necessary.

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to Cold Kitchen Assembly team members.
• Train new employees on airline specifications, food safety requirements, assembly procedures, and operational expectations.
• Monitor employee performance and provide ongoing coaching to improve productivity and accuracy.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.
• Assist management with employee performance discussions, attendance concerns, and training opportunities.
• Lead by example and maintain professional standards at all times.

• Ensure strict adherence to HACCP, GMP, food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene requirements.
• Verify products are properly labeled, dated, rotated, and stored according to company standards.
• Monitor food temperatures and ensure cold chain integrity is maintained throughout production.
• Conduct routine inspections of workstations to ensure cleanliness and food safety compliance.
• Report food safety concerns, equipment issues, or potential hazards immediately.
• Partner with Quality Assurance during audits, inspections, and corrective action activities.

• Monitor inventory levels of cold food products, packaging materials, and assembly supplies.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of all ingredients and finished products.
• Coordinate with Culinary and Warehouse teams to ensure products are available to support production schedules.
• Minimize waste by following proper portioning, dating, and product rotation procedures.
• Assist with inventory counts and product reconciliation as required.

• Ensure all airline customer specifications and service standards are consistently met.
• Promote efficiency, organization, and continuous improvement within the Cold Kitchen Assembly area.
• Maintain accurate production records and required operational documentation.
• Support special projects, airline launches, and menu changes as required.
• Assist management in achieving departmental productivity, quality, and safety goals.

• Other duties as assigned by management.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in food production, airline catering, hospitality, or commissary operations.
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership experience or experience serving as a Lead, Trainer, or Senior Team Member preferred.
• Experience working in high-volume food production environments strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP, GMP, and sanitation requirements.
• Must meet all applicable state and local food handler certification requirements for the work location (Texas requires a Food Handler Certificate within 60 days of hire).
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to…