We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better.
Reporting to the Hub BU Leader, this position leads and manages the Culinary/Hot Kitchen, Assembly and Transportation departments of the airline catering unit or “flight kitchen” with gross revenues of $100+ million and direct and indirect headcount of 1,000+ employees.
Annual Hiring Range
- $140k to $150k /Per Year plus 20% STIP
Benefits:
Paid time off
401k, with company match
Company sponsored life insurance
Medical, dental, vision plans
Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance
Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts
Free hot healthy meals for unit operations roles
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leads and manages Culinary/Hot Kitchen, Assembly and Transportation departments to ensure production standards and customer service requirements are met.
- Drives to meet business objectives and goals set by superior related to food costs, labor costs, sanitation, quality assurance, market track goals, airline goals and objectives, and all other specific goals set thereof.
- Responsible for the maintenance of key performance metrics for the departments.
- Ensures Customer requirements/specifications and service requirements are complied with on all airline accounts; this includes production processing, on-time performance, equipment inventory, and quality assurance controls.
- Maintains customer communication with all local and corporate airline representatives to ensure all request, investigations, and/or related are concluded to the satisfaction of the customer and company.
- Supports customer audits and government audits to meet compliance.
- Monitors all menu cycles to ensure customer service and satisfaction is not interrupted.
- Ensures that all HACCP, FDA, Local Airport, Quality Assurance, and Airline Specifications are maintained at the highest level.
- Supports and assists Lean initiatives, and Quality initiatives to achieve OPEX targets.
- Ensures that proper equipment is maintained and controlled in the Unit for operation excellence.
- Ensures all Corporate Policies and Procedures are followed and maintained.
- Develops Standard Operating Procedures.
- Ensures the security of the facility by monitoring and maintaining existing programs including all TSA, local airport and corporate requirements.
- Manages operation staff on a day-to-day operation aspect to drive for exceeding set targets.
- Responsible for annual performance evaluations of direct reports in compliance with corporate initiatives.
- Monitors employee relations in each Department, ensures compliance with the National Master and Local Addendum labor agreements in the Departments.
- Assists the BU leader on projects, investigations, training, corporate goals and objectives, and airline requests.
- Completes Hazard Analysis and Risk Based Preventative Controls (HARPC) Preventative Controls for Human Food training and certification course to be a PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) according to company policy.
- Completes all company required training including but not limited to ServSafe Sanitation Manager Certification.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field required
Work Experience:
- Successful track record as a Manager or Assistant Manager in airline catering required.
- Minimum 10 years of management experience in in-flight catering or food manufacturing environment required.
- Proven experience successfully managing a team of supervisors and managers for a single operating unit required
- Demonstrated knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and/or six sigma and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
- Previous customer service and/or account management experience required.
- Strong track record of innovation and making changes to the operation to further improve the work environment and unit performance
- Labor relations experience is required
Technical Skills: (Certification, Licenses and Registration)
- Must have strong and effective leadership skills
- Must be comfortable with all levels of employees and have the ability to drive positive program change.
- Must be a Team builder with the ability to lead and motivate a diverse management and hourly staff
- Excellent problem solving skills, planning and scheduling capabilities managing multiple account requirements
- Ability to effectively manage multiple operations while maintaining compliance in a heavy regulated environment e.g. FDA, HACCP and security
- Advanced Microsoft office tool skills (excel, word)
- Knowledge of quality auditing, inspection methods
- Detail oriented and excellent project management skills
- Strong organizational skills, able to prioritize responsibilities and multi-task
- Change Agent
- Able to obtain an AOA badge and customs seal.
Language / Communication Skills:
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with multiple departments and customers
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Job Dimensions
Geographic Responsibility: Hub Unit
Type of Employment: Full-time
Travel %: Up to 25% as required to attend management or leadership team meetings
Exemption Classification: Exempt
Internal Relationships: all levels of employees
External Relationships: customers, government agencies
Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: production kitchen facility (there may be physical discomfort due to temperature and noise)
Budget / Revenue Responsibility: (Local Currency): $100+ million
Organization Structure
Direct Line Manager (Title): Hub BU Leader
Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable): N/A
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Dotted Line Reports: N/A
Estimated Total Size of Team: 600+
gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:
- Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills
- Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People
- Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively
- Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus
Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position
Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone:
- We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity
- We communicate and keep each other informed
- We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team
- We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details
- We foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes
- We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it
- We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law.
For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
We anticipate that this job will close on:
10/30/2026
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If you want to be part of a team that helps make travel and culinary memories, join us!
