District Manager

District Manager

Job Title: District Manager, Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya Location: Seattle, WA | Greater Seattle Area | Field Based | Travel Required Pay Range: $95,000 to $110,000 annually + potential participation in bonus program Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity. Employment Type: Full Time | Salaried, Exempt About Us At Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, we bring the most authentic Japanese ramen experience outside of Japan. Our commitment to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, exceptional hospitality, and culinary excellence is at the heart of everything we do. We use time honored techniques, including our unique bone roasting method, to create rich, flavorful broths. Our philosophy is simple: serve the most traditional, authentic, and delicious Japanese ramen possible without actually flying to Japan. Every Kizuki restaurant is thoughtfully designed to immerse guests in Japanese culture, from our open kitchen layouts to attentive service and the small details that make every dining experience memorable. As part of Kizuki International LLC, our restaurants continue to grow across the United States while maintaining our commitment to authenticity, operational excellence, and developing exceptional hospitality leaders. Position Overview The District Manager is a key operational leader responsible for overseeing multiple Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya locations throughout the Greater Seattle Area, driving restaurant profitability, operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and leadership development. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Operations, this position works directly with General Managers and restaurant teams to ensure consistent execution of company standards and achievement of financial and operational goals. This is a hands on, field focused leadership role requiring a strong presence inside our restaurants, the ability to develop high performing management teams, and a commitment to identifying and correcting operational challenges. What We Expect From You We believe great operational leadership happens inside our restaurants, not behind a desk. Your typical workweek will consist of approximately 50 hours, with an intentional balance between business analysis and direct restaurant leadership. 35 Hours Weekly | In Restaurant Leadership Work on your feet, side by side with restaurant teams, actively participating in daily operations. Identify and eliminate operational waste, inefficiencies, and unnecessary expenses. Coach General Managers and team members in real time, reinforcing standards through direct leadership. Evaluate guest experience, ramen quality, service execution, productivity, and team performance. Lead by example, address performance gaps immediately, and develop sustainable solutions. 15 Hours Weekly | Business Analysis & Planning Analyze restaurant financial performance, P&L statements, labor, food costs, and sales trends. Review and reconcile payroll, inventory, scheduling, and operational reporting. Develop actionable plans to improve profitability, productivity, and restaurant performance. Participate in leadership meetings, business reviews, and strategic planning. Establish clear priorities, track progress, and hold restaurant leadership accountable for results. We expect a leader who can identify problems, develop solutions, and execute alongside their teams rather than simply delegate. Key Responsibilities Multi Unit Operational Leadership Oversee daily operations and performance across assigned Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya restaurants. Lead, coach, and hold General Managers accountable for restaurant performance and operational standards. Maintain a consistent presence in restaurants, particularly during peak lunch and dinner service periods. Conduct regular operational audits, restaurant evaluations, and performance reviews. Identify performance gaps, implement corrective action plans, and ensure sustainable improvements. Support restaurant openings, operational transitions, and company initiatives. Financial Performance & Profitability Drive restaurant profitability through disciplined labor management, food cost controls, and operational efficiency. Review and analyze restaurant P&L statements, sales trends, labor performance, and controllable expenses. Ensure accurate sales forecasting, staffing plans, inventory management, and financial reporting. Monitor scheduled versus actual labor, overtime, purchasing, and food waste. Identify opportunities to improve profitability, increase productivity, and reduce unnecessary expenses. Hold General Managers accountable for established financial targets and measurable results. Leadership Development & Accountability Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and emerging leaders. Establish clear performance expectations and ensure consistent accountability. Build leadership succession plans and strengthen internal management development. Conduct regular performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and development planning. Foster a culture of teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Address staffing challenges, employee relations concerns, and leadership performance proactively. Guest Experience & Brand Standards Ensure consistent execution of Kizuki hospitality, food quality, and service standards. Monitor guest feedback, restaurant evaluations, and service performance. Personally engage with restaurant teams and guests to identify opportunities for improvement. Ensure guest complaints receive timely follow up and appropriate resolution. Work alongside restaurant leadership to improve service execution, order accuracy, speed of service, and guest satisfaction. Maintain an authentic and exceptional Japanese dining experience across all assigned restaurants. Culinary & Operational Execution Partner with Culinary Leadership and restaurant management to ensure recipe adherence, ramen quality, portion consistency, and food safety. Verify proper execution of broth preparation, noodle cooking, plating standards, kitchen procedures, and inventory controls. Identify and eliminate food waste, unnecessary labor, production bottlenecks, and operational inefficiencies. Improve kitchen throughput, team productivity, and operational consistency. Ensure consistent execution of new menu items, operational procedures, and company initiatives. Support both front of house and back of house teams in maintaining operational excellence and authentic Japanese culinary standards. Cross Functional Collaboration Partner with Culinary, Human Resources, Training, Facilities, Marketing, Finance, and IT to support restaurant performance. Ensure company initiatives are communicated, implemented, and maintained across assigned locations. Provide regular updates to the Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Operations regarding financial performance, staffing, operational challenges, and corrective action plans. Participate in leadership meetings and operational reviews with clear reporting on results, challenges, and action plans. Maintain strong communication between restaurant leadership and corporate support teams. Compliance & Safety Ensure compliance with Washington State labor laws, wage and hour requirements, and applicable local scheduling regulations. Maintain food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and health department standards. Ensure consistent execution of company policies, procedures, and operational requirements. Monitor employee training, certifications, and compliance documentation. Proactively identify compliance risks and implement corrective action. Qualifications 5+ years of restaurant management experience, including experience in high volume or full service restaurant operations. 2+ years of multi unit restaurant leadership experience preferred. Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop General Managers and restaurant management teams. Strong financial acumen, including P&L management, labor controls, budgeting, and profitability improvement. Demonstrated ability to improve underperforming restaurants and establish accountability. Strong understanding of both front of house and back of house restaurant operations. Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills. Ability to balance operational planning with direct, hands on restaurant leadership. Ability and willingness to travel regularly between assigned Greater Seattle Area restaurant locations. Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require. Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience as a District Manager, Area Manager, Regional Manager, or similar multi unit leadership role. Experience managing multiple high volume, full service restaurants. Experience within Japanese cuisine, ramen concepts, or hospitality driven restaurant brands. Experience supporting restaurant openings and leadership development programs. ServSafe Certification or equivalent food safety certification. Bilingual in English and Spanish or Japanese preferred, but not required. What You Can Expect From Us We believe in investing in leaders who invest in their teams. We provide the resources, support, and opportunities needed to build a successful career while making a meaningful impact on our growing organization. Compensation & Benefits Competitive annual salary with potential participation in a performance based bonus program. $500 monthly car allowance to support travel between restaurant locations. Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 90% of eligible premiums covered by the employer. Paid Time Off. Employee meals and discounts. Leadership Growth & Development Direct mentorship and professional development from senior operations leadership. Opportunities for advancement into senior regional and corporate leadership positions. Exposure to strategic business planning, financial management, and company expansion initiatives. The opportunity to influence operational strategy, develop future leaders, and contribute directly to the growth of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya. A collaborative leadership environment that values accountability, initiative, continuous improvement, and results. Eligibility and benefit offerings may vary based on position and tenure. Equal Opportunity Employer Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.