Aaron Lurie
Burlingame,CA
Summary
Strategic Culinary Operations Manager with more than ten years of operating experience in commissary, retail, and food science environments. Known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in project management, process optimization, and logistics coordination. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and time management to drive operational success. Committed to enhancing team performance through proactive leadership and collaborative efforts.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Kitchen & Culinary Operations Coordinator
Impossible Foods Inc.
Redwood City, CA
11.2020 - 12.2025
- Facilitated culinary research and consumer sensory testing through strategic communication with R&D stakeholders.
- Provided consultation for culinary validation research and prototype production for commercial plant-based meat products.
- Served as daily resource for onboarding, skills training, and culinary leadership within the team.
- Enforced high standards of food safety and cleanliness in multiple high-volume research kitchens.
- Maintained documentation for processes and procedures to enhance knowledge sharing.
- Supported quality assurance efforts by tracking compliance with safety standards.
- Implemented process improvements to streamline day-to-day operations and workflows.
- Assisted Facilities and Real Estate teams with planning and design of kitchen construction projects.
- Managed routine spatial organization to enhance kitchen workflow and efficiency.
- Corresponded with external vendors to maintain kitchen equipment and monitor inventory of raw ingredients.
- Coordinated weekly material transfers between three Bay Area facilities to optimize production efficiency.
Kitchen and Operations Manager
Tawonga Jewish Community Corp.
San Francisco/Groveland, CA
01.2016 - 10.2019
- Supervised approximately 30 seasonal staff in preparation of four daily meals for 500 clients.
- Supervised day-to-day workflow of employees in order to maximize productivity and maintain quality standards.
- Managed staff recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and performance reviews.
- Planned food orders and maintained relationships with five major vendors.
- Ensured compliance with health regulations and monitored food storage practices.
- Directed menu development aligned with client feedback for improved food quality.
- Oversaw management of client food allergies and accommodated diverse dietary needs.
- Coordinated culinary operations for special events including holiday celebrations and staff banquets.
- Conducted team meetings to align staff on objectives and operational goals.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance program offerings and services provided.
- Expanded roles and responsibilities due to program growth and increased clientele.
Service Butcher
Bi-Rite Family of Businesses
San Francisco, CA
11.2019 - 10.2020
- Prepared meat, poultry, and seafood for customer display, offering detailed product information.
- Collaborated with chefs and departments to create specialty prepared foods from scratch.
- Followed food safety guidelines for handling and storing products.
- Operated slicers, grinders and other butcher shop equipment safely.
Office Administrative Assistant & Sandwich Chef
The Local Butcher Shop
Berkeley, CA
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Responsible for a variety of administrative and operational duties including banking, accounts payable, overhead, and account management of orders and deliveries
- Oversaw daily prep, execution and service of gourmet prepared foods with revolving weekly menus
- Gained comprehensive education of sustainable food processes while contributing to community outreach efforts
Education
B.A. - Film & Digital Media
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA, USA06.2012
Skills
- Google Suite and Microsoft Office
- QuickBooks proficiency
- Project management with Smartsheet
- Food safety compliance
- Process improvement implementation
- Staff training and development
- Event coordination
- Recipe comprehension and execution
References
Available upon request
Certification
ServSafe Food Protection Manager
Timeline
Senior Kitchen & Culinary Operations Coordinator
Impossible Foods Inc.
11.2020 - 12.2025
Service Butcher
Bi-Rite Family of Businesses
11.2019 - 10.2020
Kitchen and Operations Manager
Tawonga Jewish Community Corp.
01.2016 - 10.2019
Office Administrative Assistant & Sandwich Chef
The Local Butcher Shop
01.2013 - 01.2016
B.A. - Film & Digital Media
University of California