Assistant Kitchen Manager

Assistant Kitchen Manager

The Assistant Kitchen Manager plays a key leadership role in delivering an exceptional culinary experience by supporting the Kitchen Manager in the day-to-day operation of a fast-paced, pizza-focused kitchen. This leader is responsible for maintaining high standards of food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and operational excellence while helping develop and lead a high-performing culinary team.

Our kitchens are centered around handcrafted pizzas, alongside a focused menu of appetizers, wings, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Success in this role requires a passion for great food, an eye for detail, and the ability to lead with energy and urgency during high-volume service.

In the absence of the Kitchen Manager, the Assistant Kitchen Manager assumes responsibility for all back-of-house operations.

What You'll Do

• Support the daily operation of a high-volume, pizza-focused kitchen while maintaining exceptional food quality and guest satisfaction.
• Lead by example during service by coaching, directing, and supporting the culinary team.
• Execute and oversee all aspects of pizza production, including dough handling, stretching, topping, baking, cutting, and presentation.
• Ensure pizzas and all menu items consistently meet PopStroke recipe specifications, quality standards, and presentation expectations.
• Monitor ticket times and kitchen workflow to deliver accurate, high-quality food with speed and consistency.
• Maintain proper oven management, product rotation, and cooking techniques to maximize quality and efficiency.
• Ensure prep levels, dough production, sauces, cheeses, toppings, and all ingredients are properly prepared, labeled, rotated, and stocked to support business demands.
• Train, coach, and develop team members on culinary techniques, pizza production, food quality, sanitation, and kitchen procedures.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance coaching, and accountability of kitchen team members.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all company recipes, portion standards, food safety practices, and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe kitchen, including ovens, prep areas, refrigeration, smallwares, floors, hoods, and storage areas.
• Assist with inventory management, receiving deliveries, ordering, waste reduction, and maintaining appropriate par levels.
• Support labor management by assisting with scheduling and ensuring staffing aligns with forecasted business levels.
• Assist with culinary execution for private events, parties, and large group functions.
• Investigate and resolve food quality concerns quickly while maintaining a guest-first mindset.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local health regulations and company operating standards.
• Identify equipment maintenance needs and communicate repairs promptly to minimize operational disruption.
• Foster a safe working environment by ensuring adherence to all safety policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned while consistently demonstrating a sense of urgency and ownership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive kitchen experience in high-volume casual dining, pizza concepts, or similar restaurant environments.
• Minimum of 1 year of kitchen leadership or supervisory experience.
• Previous experience working with pizza ovens, dough preparation, pizza assembly, and high-volume pizza production strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and labor control.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, motivate, and develop culinary team members.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining quality and consistency.
• Active ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).
• Commitment to delivering exceptional food quality, cleanliness, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction.
• Professional appearance with a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, stoop, and stand for extended periods throughout a shift.

The Assistant Kitchen Manager reports directly to the Kitchen Manager.

PopStroke participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

PopStroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer