Kitchen Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Walled Lake, MI
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay: $20.00/hour
Benefits: PTO, Health, Dental & Vision

The Role

Hot Chix is looking for an experienced, hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations and drive quality, speed, food cost, cleanliness, and team performance .

Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead the kitchen team and Assistant Kitchen Managers while ensuring the operation runs efficiently, safely, and consistently.

What We're Looking For

• Previous management experience in QSR, fast casual, restaurant, or high-volume foodservice.
• Strong experience leading and developing restaurant teams.
• Knowledge of food safety, labor, food cost, inventory, and kitchen operations.
• Experience creating and managing employee schedules.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to stay organized and maintain urgency during busy periods.
• Dependable, professional, hands-on, and accountable.
• ServSafe or equivalent certification preferred, or ability to obtain.

Schedule & Availability

This is a full-time management position requiring flexibility based on business needs.

Availability for mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required. The Kitchen Manager is responsible for maintaining proper kitchen coverage and developing a team that can operate effectively without relying on the manager to fill every shift.

What You'll Do

Kitchen Operations

• Lead daily kitchen operations, including opening, closing, and peak-period execution.
• Maintain food quality, recipe consistency, portion control, and speed of service.
• Ensure proper staffing, station coverage, and smooth production flow.
• Identify operational problems and take corrective action.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop Assistant Kitchen Managers and kitchen staff.
• Create schedules based on business needs, sales, and labor requirements.
• Manage call-offs, coverage, attendance, and employee performance.
• Train new employees and maintain consistent training standards.
• Hold the team accountable for quality, urgency, cleanliness, and professionalism.

Food Cost & Inventory

• Manage food and supply ordering and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Monitor food cost, waste, portioning, and product usage.
• Control overproduction and unnecessary waste.
• Ensure deliveries, storage, rotation, and inventory counts are handled properly.

Food Quality & Safety

• Ensure every product meets Hot Chix standards for quality, portion, temperature, and presentation.
• Enforce proper cooking, preparation, storage, and handling procedures.
• Maintain required temperature and sanitation records.
• Ensure the kitchen remains clean, organized, and inspection-ready.
• Address food-safety or quality issues immediately.

Performance & Customer Experience

• Monitor sales, labor, food cost, waste, ticket times, and overall kitchen performance.
• Identify problems and implement solutions.
• Ensure accurate orders, fast service, and consistent food quality.
• Address customer concerns when needed.
• Communicate significant operational issues and recommendations to the General Manager.

What You'll Own

The Kitchen Manager is directly accountable for:

• Kitchen staffing & scheduling
• Assistant Kitchen Manager performance
• Employee training & development
• Food ordering & inventory
• Food cost & waste
• Product quality
• Speed of service
• Food safety & sanitation
• Kitchen cleanliness
• Daily kitchen operations

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on position that may require:

• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Bending, reaching, lifting, and frequent movement
• Working around hot cooking equipment
• Working briefly in refrigerated/freezer areas
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Performing kitchen and cleaning tasks when needed

Reasonable accommodations may be provided as required by law.

Why Hot Chix?

Hot Chix is focused on great food, fast service, clean operations, and consistent execution.

As Kitchen Manager, you will have real ownership of the kitchen's performance and the opportunity to build a strong team while directly improving quality, efficiency, and profitability.

If you're an experienced kitchen leader who builds strong teams, controls food cost, and takes pride in great execution, we want to hear from you!

If you’re looking to succeed at a progressive, growth-oriented company and you meet our Core Values, we’d love to talk to you!

Company Description

If you’re looking to succeed at a progressive, growth-oriented company and you meet our Core Values, we’d love to talk to you!