Assistant Kitchen Manager

Description

We are opening a new restaurant in La Jolla!

As Assistant Kitchen Manager (Assistant Chef de Cuisine) , you’re the second culinary leader in the kitchen — the one running the line when the pace picks up, and the person the team looks to mid-shift. You’ll partner closely with the Chef de Cuisine to run daily operations, and you’ll own execution shift by shift: recipe adherence, portion control, food safety, and the timing that gets clean, thoughtfully sourced food out the door exactly as intended.

This is a hands‐on leadership role built for someone who wants to grow. You’ll coach Shift Leads, Utility Chefs, and Line Chefs in real time, step in to lead the kitchen when the CDC is off‐site, and develop the skills that make you our next Chef de Cuisine.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the shift. Run assigned shifts as the senior culinary leader on the floor — directing stations, setting the pace, and moving the team as volume shifts.
• Hold the standard. Enforce recipe adherence, portion control, and plating specifications station by station, correcting course in real time before food leaves the kitchen.
• Coach and develop. Train Shift Leads, Utility Chefs, and Line Chefs on station standards, prep procedures, and new menu items, with feedback in the moment.
• Plan prep and production. Build and adjust daily prep and production lists against forecasted volume to protect quality and limit waste.
• Own food safety. Complete and verify temperature checks, cooling reports, and digital food safety logs; lead sanitation walks and hold the team to allergen‑handling and HACCP protocols.
• Support inventory and ordering. Run counts, receive and verify deliveries against invoices, flag variances, and place orders as directed by the CDC.
• Watch the numbers. Apply portioning, yield, and waste controls that support food and labor cost targets, and surface what’s driving them.
• Open and close. Lead opening line checks and closing procedures — checklists complete, equipment shut down properly, facility secured.
• Step in. Take day‑to‑day leadership of the kitchen when the CDC is not present

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

• At least 2 years in a supporting kitchen leadership role (e.g., Assistant Kitchen Manager, Kitchen Lead, Sous Chef) in a high‑volume or made‑to‑order kitchen
• Demonstrated ability to run a station and direct others through a full‑volume shift
• Experience training or onboarding hourly kitchen team members
• ServSafe Food Handler certification, or the ability to obtain one
• Working knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP, and Health Department compliance
• Familiarity with clean eating principles, dietary restrictions, and allergen‑friendly cooking techniques
• Comfort with kitchen systems — POS, inventory platforms, online ordering, and digital food safety logs
• Organizational skills to prioritize prep, production, and cleaning in a fast‑paced environment
• Clear communication with leadership, your kitchen team, and vendors
• A commitment to sustainability, ingredient integrity, and high standards of kitchen cleanliness
• Background in health‑forward, clean‑ingredient, made‑to‑order kitchen concepts and/or experience with delivery‑first or digital food concepts preferred
• Bilingual — Spanish/English a plus

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 401k match
• Annual cell phone reimbursement
• Employee discount.
• Opportunity to build and work in a dynamic and innovative environment.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact on a rapidly growing brand.

About goop kitchen

goop kitchen is an upscale fast‑casual concept, founded by Gwyneth Paltrow in 2021, serving real, clean, and delicious food made‑to‑order. The brand focuses on thoughtfully sourced ingredients and chef‑driven menus designed primarily for delivery and takeout.

goop kitchen provides equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service in the uniformed services of the United States, or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.