production supervisor

About Us : Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — we're a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, we've grown into the Pacific Northwest's premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one that's centered around food, culture, and people.

Why Join Uwajimaya?

At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you're serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — you'll feel right at home here.

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies :

Functional / Technical Skills : You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.

Customer Focus : You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.

Action Oriented : You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.

Peer Relationships : You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.

Self-Development : You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.

We offer :

A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work culture

Competitive starting wages

Paid holidays from day one

Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits

A generous retirement plan

Paid time off, long-term disability, and life insurance

Employee discounts on food and gift items

Supplemental insurance options

Opportunities for growth and advancement

Position Summary :

The Production Supervisor at the Central Kitchen is responsible for overseeing daily operations on the production floor of the Central Kitchen. This role ensures production goals are achieved while upholding the highest standards of food safety, quality, and efficiency. The position requires strong leadership, food manufacturing knowledge, and culinary expertise with a focus on Asian cuisine.

Position's Key Responsibilities :

Supervise, coach, and support production employees during assigned shifts to ensure schedules, yields, and quality standards are met.

Apply culinary knowledge with specialization in Asian Cuisine to oversee recipe preparation, portion control, cooking, and finishing methods that align with product specifications.

Train production staff on proper cooking techniques, product presentation, flavor consistency, and handling of ingredients.

Partner with R&D and culinary development teams to commercialize recipes for large-scale production.

Monitor compliance with GMPs, HACCP, allergen control, and food safety regulations at all times.

Conduct shift meetings, assign tasks, and communicate production goals clearly to the team.

Inspect incoming materials (ingredients, packaging materials, supplies), in-process products, finished products for quality, taste, and consistency; provide immediate corrective action when needed.

Collaborate with QA, Sanitation, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly.

Maintain accurate records of inventory, production runs, yields, waste, and downtime.

Promote a culture of safety, food safety and enforce OSHA and company safety protocols.

Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce food waste.

Assist in hiring, training, and developing production staff, ensuring alignment with company values and culinary standards.

Other duties as assigned.

Starting Pay : $26.24 / hr., Depending on Experience

Pay Range : $26.24 – $38.05 / hr.

Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your application

IER Right to Work Poster (English / Spanish) (PDF, KB)

E-Verify Participation Poster (English / Spanish) (PDF, KB)

Uwajimaya is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Requirements :

High school diploma or GED required; Culinary degree or equivalent culinary training strongly preferred.

3+ years of supervisory experience in food manufacturing, commissary kitchens, or high-volume culinary environments.

Proven ability to apply culinary skills in a production setting (cooking, recipe scaling, flavor profiling, etc.).

Strong background in culinary operations with demonstrated expertise in Asian cuisine.

Strong knowledge of food safety regulations (GMP, HACCP, FDA / USDA, FSMA).

Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production software (ERP or MES).

Ability to train staff in both culinary techniques and standardized production methods.

Able to work in fast-paced, hot / cold, and high-volume environments.

Comfortable working in hot, cold, humid, or noisy environments.

Willingness to work flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.