Restaurant Kitchen Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing daily kitchen operations, food preparation, staff supervision, food safety, inventory, ordering, cleanliness, and consistency. This person will work closely with ownership and management to ensure that The Hive’s food quality, speed of service, kitchen standards, and team culture remain strong.

This is a working management position, meaning the Kitchen Manager is expected to lead from the line, jump in where needed, and set the standard for the team.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Kitchen Manager will be responsible for:

• Managing day-to-day kitchen operations during breakfast, brunch, and lunch service.
• Leading, coaching, training, and holding kitchen staff accountable.
• Ensuring all food is prepared consistently according to recipes, presentation standards, and portion guidelines.
• Maintaining high standards for food quality, taste, appearance, and speed of service.
• Overseeing prep lists, line setup, daily production, and kitchen readiness before service.
• Working the line as needed during busy service periods.
• Monitoring ticket times and helping the team stay organized during rushes.
• Managing food inventory, ordering, receiving, and proper storage.
• Reducing food waste through proper prep, portion control, rotation, and planning.
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen at all times.
• Ensuring compliance with health department standards, food safety rules, and company procedures.
• Monitoring cooler, freezer, and equipment temperatures.
• Ensuring proper labeling, dating, rotation, and storage of all food products.
• Helping develop, test, and execute new menu items and specials when needed.
• Communicating kitchen needs, staffing concerns, equipment issues, and supply shortages to management.
• Assisting with scheduling, labor management, and shift coverage.
• Training new kitchen employees on recipes, procedures, food safety, and expectations.
• Holding the team accountable for cleanliness, prep completion, professionalism, and teamwork.
• Supporting catering, private events, production needs, and special projects as needed.
• Creating a kitchen culture that is respectful, efficient, positive, and solutions-focused.

Required Experience

Qualified candidates should have:

• At least 2–3 years of kitchen experience in a restaurant, café, diner, brunch concept, catering kitchen, or similar food service environment.
• Previous leadership, supervisor, sous chef, lead cook, or kitchen manager experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, prep systems, and kitchen organization.
• Experience working in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Ability to read and follow recipes, prep lists, and kitchen procedures.
• Strong knife skills and general cooking knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities during busy service periods.
• Experience with ordering, inventory, and waste control preferred.
• ServSafe certification preferred, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Breakfast/brunch experience is a plus.
• Gluten-free food handling knowledge is a plus.

Company Description

Location: Erlanger, KY
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule: Daytime hours, weekends required
Restaurant Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM daily

About The Hive

The Hive is a busy breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant in the heart of Erlanger, KY. We are known for fresh food, creative specials, gluten-free options, strong community support, and a team-focused culture. We are looking for a dependable, organized, and motivated Kitchen Manager to help lead our back-of-house team and keep our kitchen running efficiently every day.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, calm under pressure, committed to quality, and capable of holding a team accountable while also creating a positive work environment.

Company Description

Location: Erlanger, KY\nJob Type: Full-time\nSchedule: Daytime hours, weekends required\nRestaurant Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM daily\n\nAbout The Hive\n\nThe Hive is a busy breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant in the heart of Erlanger, KY. We are known for fresh food, creative specials, gluten-free options, strong community support, and a team-focused culture. We are looking for a dependable, organized, and motivated Kitchen Manager to help lead our back-of-house team and keep our kitchen running efficiently every day.\n\nThe ideal candidate is hands-on, calm under pressure, committed to quality, and capable of holding a team accountable while also creating a positive work environment.