Assistant Kitchen Production Manager

Job Description

About the job

Reporting to the Kitchen Food Manager, this TEAM LEADER role is responsible for the development of the IKEA business in his/her respective area of responsibility: IKEA Kitchen. He/She strives to make people smile while providing irresistible food offers in a welcoming atmosphere that gives the customers a good reason to return again. 

Your assignment

• You always look at the store through the eyes of your customers and walk the store regularly. You have a daily dialogue with our customers to get continuous feedback about their experiences and to learn more about their needs and wants and then take action based on their input; 
• You have an overview of the store business plan and IKEA Food action plans, and you contribute to your area’s action plan by supporting your manager in implementing it with the team; 
• You work with your manager to actively contribute and support relevant marketing and in-store activities; 
• You ensure your area is efficiently maintained as well as clean, organised, attractive and inviting to provide a positive customer experience; 
• You work actively to create an environment where the IKEA culture is a strong and living reality, and diversity is valued, to ensure IKEA Food is regarded as a great place to work. 

Kitchen Production & Operations

• You lead and coordinate daily kitchen production to ensure food is prepared according to sales forecasts, production plans, IKEA recipes, portion standards, and service requirements.
• You make sure the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantity while minimizing overproduction and food waste.
• You coordinate preparation, cooking, holding, replenishment, and service activities to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
• You secure consistent food quality, taste, presentation, and portioning.
• You monitor customer demand and adjust production priorities and manpower when needed.
• You make sure the kitchen is ready before every service period.
• You work closely with the serving line and restaurant team to secure product availability and a smooth customer experience.
• You provide hands-on support during busy periods when needed.
• You make sure kitchen equipment and facilities are used correctly and report maintenance or operational concerns promptly.

Team Leadership & People Development

• You lead, organize, and inspire a large team of kitchen co-workers to achieve daily operational and business goals.
• You plan and allocate manpower based on production needs, workload, competencies, and business priorities.
• You lead daily briefings to align the team on production targets, priorities, food safety, and ways of working.
• You coach co-workers on cooking procedures, IKEA recipes, portion control, food safety, equipment use, and efficient ways of working.
• You support the onboarding, training, and development of new and existing co-workers.
• You identify development needs and work with the Kitchen Production Manager to strengthen team competencies.
• You provide regular and constructive feedback and address performance or behavioural concerns in a fair and respectful way.
• You create a team environment where people work together, take responsibility, support each other, and feel valued.
• You lead by example and demonstrate a hands-on, positive, and solution-oriented approach.

Food Safety, HACCP & Quality Assurance

• You secure compliance with food safety, sanitation, hygiene, quality, and HACCP requirements.
• You build and maintain a strong food safety culture within the kitchen team.
• You make sure food is received, stored, prepared, cooked, cooled, reheated, held, and served according to established standards and procedures.
• You monitor and document critical control points, including food temperatures and holding times.
• You secure proper labelling, dating, allergen management, FIFO/FEFO, and practices that prevent cross-contamination.
• You conduct regular checks of kitchen cleanliness, equipment condition, food storage, and food handling practices.
• You take immediate action when food safety or quality deviations are identified.
• You support internal and external food safety audits and follow through on agreed corrective actions.

Production Planning, Inventory & Waste Management

• You support production planning by considering historical sales, expected customer volume, promotions, seasonality, and other business activities.
• You monitor stock levels and work with relevant teams to secure the availability of ingredients and materials needed for production.
• You communicate stock shortages, substitutions, and replenishment needs in a timely manner.
• You monitor food usage, yield, portioning, and waste and identify opportunities to improve.
• You investigate significant variances in production, inventory, or food waste and take appropriate corrective action.
• You use ingredients, equipment, time, and other resources responsibly without compromising food safety or quality.
• You support inventory counts and secure accurate production and stock information.

Productivity, Cost & Continuous Improvement

• You monitor kitchen productivity and identify better ways to use manpower, equipment, space, and time.
• You support food cost management through correct portioning, yield management, waste reduction, and adherence to standardized recipes.
• You identify the root causes of operational challenges and work with the team to find simple and practical solutions.
• You participate in continuous improvement activities that improve efficiency, quality, food safety, and the experience of customers and co-workers.
• You help establish, follow, and improve operational standards and ways of working.
• You support the Kitchen Production Manager in achieving agreed departmental goals and KPIs.

Administration & Reporting

• You maintain accurate and up-to-date production, inventory, food safety, cleaning, and operational records.
• You prepare and review basic reports related to production, food waste, inventory, productivity, and operational performance.
• You use Microsoft Excel for basic data monitoring, reporting, inventory information, and operational analysis.
• You use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for reports, documentation, presentations, training materials, and team communication.
• You use basic PC applications and IKEA digital systems to support daily work.
• You support scheduling, manpower planning, and other administrative activities as required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• You work closely with the Kitchen Production Manager, IKEA Food management team, serving line, restaurant, logistics, purchasing, maintenance, and other relevant functions.
• You communicate production concerns, equipment issues, stock shortages, food safety risks, and other operational matters clearly and promptly.
• You support IKEA Food promotions, seasonal activities, special events, and new product introductions.
• You share ideas and contribute to better ways of working, food quality, kitchen processes, and operational efficiency.
• You build strong relationships across functions and contribute to creating a better everyday life for the many people.

Qualifications

Your profile

• You have at least 3 years relevant experience of working in a leadership role managing a large team in a fast-paced food and/or retail environment; 
• You have experience of working with a KPI-driven action plan and are knowledgeable in food safety (HACCP) guidelines; 
• You have good communication and interpersonal skills, able to lead, train, influence and collaborate with others; 
• You are sales-driven, cost-conscious and passionate about food and people. 
• You have strong knowledge of high-volume kitchen and food production operations.
• You have a clear understanding of food safety and HACCP principles.
• You have good knowledge of food preparation, cooking methods, portion control, and production planning.
• You have a good understanding of inventory management, FIFO/FEFO, food yields, and waste control.
• You have strong people-management and team-leadership skills.
• You are able to organize and deploy a large team in a fast-paced operational environment.
• You are able to interpret sales and production forecasts and translate them into daily production requirements.
• You have good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• You have strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• You have good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• You are comfortable using basic PC applications and willing to learn company-specific systems.
• You have a basic understanding of food cost, productivity, and operational.

Additional Information

We offer many benefits at IKEA other than just having the opportunity to work for a global company! Along with a focus on your personal and career development goals and being a part of an inclusive culture driven by values, you will be entitled to great initiatives including Annual leave, Medical and Dental, Family & Community leave, Co-worker discount, subsidized meals in our Co-worker Restaurant, Bonus program, full training and inductions.

This role requires flexibility in work hours depending on store operational requirements. Working on public holidays and weekends.