Culinary Kitchen Manager

Job Description Job Description Job Title: Catering Kitchen Manager Location: Oklahoma City Metro Area (production kitchen based in Norman) Company: Abbey Road Catering Compensation: $55,000-$60,000 per year, plus performance‐based bonus structure tied to food and labor cost, depending on experience About Us Abbey Road Catering is a soft‐luxury, high‐end boutique catering company specializing in bespoke events. We combine serious logistics with warm hospitality to create "quiet luxury" experiences for our clients—elegant, thoughtful, and meticulously executed. Role Summary We're looking for a hands‐on Catering Kitchen Manager to run the day‐to‐day operations of our production kitchen. This is a working leadership role: you organize people and prep, uphold systems and standards, and represent the kitchen in event planning. If you come from catering or banquets and care as much about clean execution and calm leadership as you do about great food, this is your lane. What You'll Do * Lead daily prep and production; build and manage prep lists, station assignments, and workflow * Work side‐by‐side with the team during heavy prep, load‐outs, and event weeks * Follow and enforce documented recipes, SOPs, and food safety standards * Attend BEO/manager meetings as the kitchen lead and coordinate with the Events team on counts, timing, and special needs * Check quality, taste, and presentation before items leave the kitchen * Help with ordering, receiving, storage, and basic inventory tracking * Maintain a clean, organized, "health‐department ready" kitchen * Train, coach, and hold team members accountable to quality and professionalism What We're Looking For * Experience as a kitchen manager, sous chef, lead line cook, or similar role; catering/banquet experience strongly preferred * Strong organizer who likes checklists, systems, and consistency—not just "winging it" * Calm, solution‐oriented communicator who can lead under pressure and keep the kitchen steady * Comfortable with the physical demands of catering (lifting, standing, fast pace, event rhythms) * Food safety knowledge; certification a plus (or willingness to obtain) Why Work With Us * High‐end, design‐driven events where details matter and your standards will be appreciated * A culture built on professionalism, direct communication, and a strict no‐gossip policy * Owner‐led, low‐turnover company that treats people like adults—not a place where you're micromanaged or screamed at * You are the key kitchen leader here, with real input into systems and execution * Competitive salary ($55,000-$60,000, DOE) plus performance‐based bonus structure * Employer‐sponsored health insurance * Paid time off, including the week of Christmas and the first week of July for rebooting and vacations Company Description Join Abbey Road Catering, where creativity, professionalism, and teamwork come together to create unforgettable culinary experiences. Abbey Road Catering blends high‐end food, a supportive culture, and real balance, making it a standout place to grow your career. A creative, respectful catering team crafting elevated events with passion, and pride. Company Description Join Abbey Road Catering, where creativity, professionalism, and teamwork come together to create unforgettable culinary experiences. Abbey Road Catering blends high‐end food, a supportive culture, and real balance, making it a standout place to grow your career. A creative, respectful catering team crafting elevated events with passion, and pride.