Hybrid Culinary Operations Manager presso Fitlife Foods

Position: Operations Manager

Status: Full-Time; Exempt

Location: 141 S. Countyline Road, Plant City (On-site)

General Overview

Do you enjoy building and leading a team where your impact directly contributes to operational excellence and customer satisfaction? Interested in eating delicious and healthy meals for free while being part of a fun, high-performing culture?

Fitlife Foods is all about feeding our customers' journeys and is the leading multi-channel prepared meals company in Florida and Georgia. Since 2011, Fitlife has expanded to 12 retail locations and a thriving eco-friendly home delivery subscription service. We empower our customers by providing the best prepared meals and wellness coaching.

Fitlife’s core values… Winning, Ownership, Purpose, Gratitude, and Curiosity… drive our culture. We strive to foster autonomy, mastery, and purpose while encouraging each other’s learning and growth.

Operations Manager Mission

As the Operations Manager, you will provide leadership and oversight to Home Delivery, MAP team, Assembly, and Logistics teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality products and services. This role emphasizes hands-on team management and process optimization, supporting Fitlife’s mission by ensuring operational excellence across all touchpoints.

Success in this role will involve fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Operations Manager will work closely with the Senior Manager of Culinary Center Operations to align culinary center operations with Fitlife’s strategic objectives and metrics.

This role requires expertise in team development and process management, as well as the ability to lead agile, high-volume culinary operations. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who balances operational efficiency with a focus on culture, financial stewardship, and customer satisfaction.

Role & Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to Home Delivery, MAP team, Assembly, Dish Room and Logistics teams, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to implement initiatives for improving food quality, logistics efficiency, and operational performance.
• Develop and maintain operational KPIs, focusing on metrics such as food quality, cost, labor efficiency, and delivery timelines.
• Establish and sustain a culture of continuous improvement through coaching, training, and team development.
• Ensure developing and implementing SOPs and training materials to optimize team performance and consistency.
• Manage preventative maintenance plans and coordinate with third-party contractors as necessary. (Raiser, Ross, ETC.)
• Conduct regular team meetings to review performance, address challenges, and foster open communication.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement, leveraging Kaizen events and other LEAN principles.
• Follow the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework ensuring compliance with EOS standards in day-to-day operations.
• Strong understanding of Fitlife processes, policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely hire of candidates through ADP.
• Work with HR to ensure compliance with local, state and federal leave mandates.

 What A Successful Manager Brings to the Table:

• High school diploma required.  BS/BA focusing on operational excellence or equivalent experience is preferred.
• 3+ years of operational leadership experience in culinary or commissary operations, preferably in a food manufacturing or culinary production environment. 
• Prior work experience working in a USDA-regulated facility is required.        Must have a strong understanding of USDA Compliance, inspection protocols, and food safety standards applicable to ready-to-eat or prepared foods.
• Manufacturing experience in food, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), or related industry preferred.
• Strong background in high-volume kitchen or logistics operations required.
• Intensive inventory management and production planning experience across digital platforms required.
• Experience managing KPIs and budgets in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to develop teams, write training materials, and establish SOPs.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Strong computer proficiency and familiarity with inventory management systems.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

 Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Retail store discounts
• Group health, dental, and vision plans
• Meal Plan 
• Paid time off and holidays
• Continuing education opportunities
• 401k