Team Leader (Central Kitchen)

We are seeking a dynamic and dependable Team Leader to manage daily central kitchen section operations. This middle-management role is ideal for an experienced food production professional ready to lead section teams, drive operational excellence, and uphold exemplary food safety and quality standards. Responsibilities • Lead daily section operations across assigned departments (Preparation, Cooking, or Packaging). • Spend at least 70% of scheduled working hours directly on the production floor providing hands-on leadership, instruction, and active supervision. • Serve as the operational leader for food safety, verifying pre-work hygiene checks, Critical Control Points (CCPs), temperature logs, and yield accuracy. • Act as first responder for machinery, equipment, or tool failures on the production floor; resolve issues safely or escalate to the next level superior. • Supervise core section tasks including thermal operations, combi-oven/kettle cooking cycles, blast chilling, tray assembly speed, and automated packaging (MAP gas flush, checkweighing, metal detection). • Conduct weekly section review meetings, monitor cycle times, and implement actions to increase overall section output and efficiency. • Maintain labor-hour productivity standards while proposing cost-control and workload-reduction initiatives. • Lead, mentor, and retain Senior Production Operators (SPOs) and Production Operators (POs), conducting bi-weekly 1-on-1 performance and wellbeing reviews. • Enforce strict adherence to 5S cleanliness, allergen tool segregation, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety protocols. Requirements • Valid Food Hygiene Certificate required (Advanced Food Hygiene certification preferred). • Minimum 3 years of experience in food service, food manufacturing, catering, or institutional food preparation. • Minimum 3 years of middle-management experience leading teams of approximately 10 people. • Full mastery of foundational operator roles and operational processes (thermal processing, blast chilling, packaging lines). • Strong understanding of food manufacturing business models, cost control, and productivity optimization. • Working proficiency in English to support team communication, training, and operational logging. • Demonstrated commitment to fair conduct, team engagement, zero unnotified absences, and high governance standards. • Flexibility to work shift schedules, including weekends and public holidays. Compensation & Benefits • 5-day work week • Competitive monthly salary package • Supportive, inclusive, and culture-driven workplace environment • Work Location: Sakae Building, 28 Tai Seng Street, Singapore