Commissary Kitchen Production Associate
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Prep ingredients by washing, chopping, and measuring to recipe standards
- Cook or assemble menu items in batches using standard procedures
- Portion, weigh, and package finished products for delivery or storage
- Label products with item name, date, and handling instructions
- Follow food safety practices including temperature checks and allergen controls
- Operate basic kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, ovens, and kettles
- Clean and sanitize workstations, tools, and production areas
- Support inventory tasks such as receiving, stocking, and rotating ingredients
- Complete production logs and basic checklists to document work
- Work with the team to meet daily production targets and deadlines
Top Skills for Success
Food Safety
Sanitation
Knife Skills
Recipe Reading
Batch Cooking
Portion Control
Quality Control
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Teamwork
Reliability
Physical Stamina
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Prep Cook
Line Cook
Kitchen Lead
Production Lead
Commissary Supervisor
Quality Assurance Technician
Transition Opportunities
Catering Coordinator
Inventory Specialist
Food Safety Specialist
Kitchen Manager
Production Planner
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Temperature MonitoringAllergen AwarenessLabel AccuracyProduction DocumentationEquipment SafetyWaste Reduction
Development SuggestionsBuild confidence with a food handler course, practice temperature logging and labeling during every shift, and ask a lead to review your first week of production logs. Request training on one piece of equipment at a time and focus on consistent results and safe operation.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry Level$15 to $18 per hour
Mid Level$18 to $22 per hour
Senior Level$22 to $28 per hour
Growth Trend
Steady demand driven by growth in prepared foods, catering, meal services, and multi location restaurants. Hiring increases seasonally and in metro areas with strong food service and manufacturing activity.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Compass GroupAramarkSodexoSyscoUS FoodsWhole Foods MarketCostcoHelloFreshBlue ApronPanera Bread
Industry Sectors
Restaurant GroupsCatering CompaniesMeal Kit CompaniesGrocery Prepared FoodsFood ManufacturingCorporate DiningHospital Food ServicesUniversity DiningAirline Catering
Recommended Next Steps
1
Earn a Food Handler Card and keep it current2
Learn the top recipes and portion standards used in your commissary3
Practice a consistent station setup to improve speed and accuracy4
Ask to cross train on packaging, receiving, and one cooking station5
Track your on time attendance and error free labeling to support promotion6
Request feedback monthly and set one improvement goal per month