Lead Production Chef - Plum Market at Plum Market – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Join the Plum Market Team – Where Passion Meets Opportunity!

Plum Market is a fast-growing leader in the Grocery, Food & Beverage Retail industry. We are dedicated to offering the finest selections of All Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty Grocery items while delivering an exceptional experience to our Customers.

At Plum Market, our Team Members are at the heart of everything we do. We are passionate about high-quality food, beverages, and grocery essentials, helping our Customers lead a better lifestyle. Our priority is creating a welcoming environment that supports both our Customers and our Team Members.

Our Retail Grocery Stores reflect the diverse communities we serve. From our dedicated Team Members and valued Customers to our local vendors and thoughtfully curated product selection, we take pride in fostering an inclusive and thriving culture. If you share our enthusiasm, we’d love for you to apply and discover how you can be part of our team!

Why Work at Plum Market?

Flexible Scheduling – Full-time and part-time positions available with a variety of retail shifts to support work-life balance.

Grow Your Passion – Learn about great food while advancing your skills and knowledge.

Comprehensive Training – We invest in our Team Members with exceptional training programs.

Competitive Holiday Pay – Earn time and a half for working on five federally recognized holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.

Career Growth Opportunities – As a growing company, we provide promotional pathways, so you can grow with us!

Comprehensive Benefits Package – Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.

401(k) with Company Match – Available after just six months.

Team Member Discounts – Enjoy 20% off grocery purchases and 50% off Team Member meals.

Plum Market is more than just a workplace – it’s a desirable and rewarding environment where your contributions matter.

Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

Ready to be part of something special? Apply today!

Description:

The Prepared Foods Production Lead is a key leader within the department, responsible for overseeing the daily execution of hot and cold food production, team coordination, and service excellence. As the right hand to the Prepared Foods Team Leader, the Production Lead ensures that all production tasks are completed efficiently and consistently, while maintaining Plum Market’s high standards for quality, food safety, and Guest satisfaction. This role also supports training, supervision, and operational leadership across all production areas, stepping in as department lead when needed.

Who you are:

You are passionate about natural, organic, and high-quality prepared foods.

You are a hands-on leader with strong culinary and organizational skills.

You model exceptional Guest Service and support a collaborative team culture.

You are detail-oriented, driven, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

You are proactive, accountable, and enjoy mentoring others.

You maintain a high standard for cleanliness, safety, and professionalism.

What you will bring:

At least 5 years of cooking experience in high-volume food production or scratch-prep kitchens.

Previous leadership experience in a culinary, deli, or foodservice setting.

Proven ability to lead, delegate, and train team members effectively.

Experience with perishable inventory management, food safety, and sanitation protocols.

ServSafe Manager certification preferred.

Strong multitasking and time management skills.

Calm, confident demeanor under pressure with strong problem-solving abilities.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).

Flexibility to work a variety of shifts including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical ability to stand and walk for up to 4 hours without a break.

Ability to bend and stoop to grasp objects, climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and push/pull carts weighing up to 100 lbs. unassisted.

What you will do:

Lead all hot and cold food production efforts, ensuring consistent quality, presentation, and timeliness.

Conduct daily walk-throughs to assess production needs, inventory rotation, and departmental standards.

Supervise and delegate tasks to the Production Team, FOH Team, and other supporting roles.

Work various shifts to support team performance and departmental coverage.

Oversee catering production and partner with the Catering Coordinator to ensure successful execution.

Support inventory management, ordering, and rotation in coolers, freezers, and dry storage.

Assist with onboarding, training, and development of team members, providing clear, constructive feedback.

Address Guest and team concerns with professionalism and care.

Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and food handling guidelines.

Serve as acting department leader when the Prepared Foods Team Leader is off duty.

Uphold and model Plum Market’s service standards, values, and operating procedures.