KITCHEN MANAGER

Kitchen Manager - Tailwind Concessions

About Tailwind Hospitality

Tailwind Hospitality, Inc is a premier full-service airport concessionaire headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 2004, Tailwind specializes in developing, managing, and operating custom food, beverage, and retail concepts across airports and transit hubs nationwide.

About the Role

Are you looking for a Kitchen Manager position that offers daily variety, career advancement, and a genuinely supportive team?

Join Tailwind Concessions, a growing national team spanning coast to coast. As an industry leader in travel dining and retail, we take pride in delivering exceptional culinary experiences to travelers from around the globe. We are seeking a skilled, passionate Kitchen Manager to lead line operations, mentor a high-performing culinary team, and consistently elevate our food quality and guest service.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Partner directly with the General Manager to build, inspire, and retain a high-performing kitchen team.
• Train, mentor, and coach kitchen staff to ensure high standards for food quality, efficiency, and customer care.
• Create fair, efficient work schedules aligned with labor targets and flight traffic volumes.
• Maintain clear daily communication across all shifts to keep operations smooth and cohesive.

Culinary Excellence & Guest Experience

• Oversee daily food preparation, ensuring consistent taste, presentation, and strict adherence to recipe specifications.
• Monitor service speed and food quality standards during peak hours to elevate the overall guest experience.
• Resolve guest concerns and operational bottlenecks quickly, professionally, and effectively.

Operations, Inventory & Financial Management

• Manage inventory control, including counting stock, placing food orders, receiving deliveries, and managing proper food storage.
• Actively minimize waste, food loss, and supply misuse to protect kitchen profitability.
• Monitor kitchen financial metrics and evaluate operational cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality.

Safety, Compliance & Maintenance

• Enforce strict compliance with local health department regulations and ServSafe standards.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained according to kitchen safety and preventive maintenance schedules.
• Oversee safe, legal, and responsible service standards across all food and beverage operations.
• Perform additional operational duties as assigned by executive leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional culinary experience; previous kitchen leadership or supervisor experience preferred.
• Certifications: Current ServSafe Manager Certification required.
• Background Check: Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive airport security background check and badging process.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for minimum 8-hour shifts, with frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Availability: Full-time availability (minimum 40 hours/week) with flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as travel schedules dictate.

What We Offer

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Comprehensive Paid Training
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (for Full-Time Employees)
• Generous Employee Discounts across location venues

Our Mission & Philosophy

Tailwind brings warm hospitality to its dining spaces through welcoming designs, versatile seating, and carefully crafted menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our offerings feature dietary-friendly choices-including gluten-free, vegetarian, and low-calorie options-alongside beloved local favorites. We understand that every traveler's journey is unique, whether they have time for a relaxed, full-service dining experience or need a quick, delicious meal before boarding. Whatever our guests need, we are here to deliver.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tailwind Concessions is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming work culture. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance or accommodation during the application process, please contact our HR team.