Culinary Operations Manager

Culinary Operations Manager

Job Description

WHY LITTLE SAINT

Located in the heart of historic downtown Healdsburg, Little Saint is a vibrant meeting place where guests are invited to connect over food, music, art and conversation. Our mission is to create an environment that is good for the soul, the earth and the community. Inside our 10,000-square-foot space, Little Saint offers up a full-service farm-forward restaurant, cafe and wine shop with a focus on plant-based cuisine. The building is home to exciting live music and thought-provoking conversations, as well as a series of film screenings and performances to benefit local artists and our farming community.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE

As Culinary Operations Manager, you will help lead the culinary team in translating the organization's culinary vision into exceptional daily execution. Reporting to the Director of Culinary, this role provides oversight of culinary leadership and partners closely across the kitchen to ensure seamless operations, from prep systems and service flow to cost control and compliance. This position requires a highly organized, solutions‑oriented culinary professional who excels at leadership, systems, and execution. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily culinary operations across all departments including the restaurant, pastry, events, catering, and marketplace.
• Partner with the Director of Culinary and department leaders to develop menus and recipes that highlight Little Saint’s seasonal, plant based cuisine. 
• Maintain exceptional standards for flavor, technique, presentation, consistency, product quality, and guest experience.
• Collaborate with the Marketplace Operations Manager to align culinary production, catering, grab-and-go, pastry merchandising, and retail initiatives.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Foster a culture of professionalism, dependability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement through clear expectations and accountability.
• Lead, train and mentor department department leaders to consistently execute production, service, purchasing, inventory, and quality standards.
• Partner with department managers on staffing, succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Model Little Saint’s values of hospitality, inclusion, and sustainability.
• Complete other duties as assigned to ensure a cohesive team and shared responsibility.

Systems, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain and enforce the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive accuracy and efficiency in inventory, ordering, receiving, labeling, and storage.
• Continuously refine systems, SOPs, production guides, checklists, and standards to improve flow, reduce waste, and increase productivity.
• Promote whole-product utilization, responsible sourcing, preservation, and waste reduction in support of Little Saint's regenerative and sustainable efforts.

Financial & Strategic Impact

• Partner with the Director of Culinary on menu rollouts, product launches, and operational initiatives.
• Contribute to P&L performance through labor management, cost control, and waste reduction.
• Oversee workforce planning, payroll performance, scheduling practices, and time and attendance compliance in partnership with department leaders.
• Identify opportunities, and implement solutions to strengthen profitability while maintaining culinary excellence. 

WHO YOU ARE

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a high-volume, multi-outlet restaurant or market setting, experience leading seasonal menu development preferred
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated success leading managers, building teams, and creating operational excellence through systems and accountability.
• Deep respect for vegan cuisine, sustainable food systems, and farm-to-table practices
• Strong operation and financial acumen with experience managing budgets, food costs, ordering, inventory, and scheduling in a dynamic environment
• Experience recruiting, hiring, coaching, and developing culinary professionals.
• California Food Safety Certified and well-versed in state food safety and public health regulations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to regularly and continuously lift up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and the ability to perform repetitive motions
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and reaching

COMPENSATION

• Competitive Wage
• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans (Full-Time Positions Only)
• Paid Time Off 
• 401(k) 
• Employee Dining Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

OUR CORE VALUES AND HOW WE EMBODY THEM:

• One Little Saint - Our Success is a Team Success. Encourage cooperation and trust among team members, working towards common goals. We are One Little Saint.
• Respect & Kindness - Drive Positive Change with Respect, Kindness and a Positive Attitude: Take initiative to resolve issues with a solution-based mindset while fostering respectful communication and kindness within the Little Saint Team and our Community.
• Value Everyone and Diverse Viewpoints - Lead with Confidence while Embracing Diverse Viewpoints: Anticipate challenges, develop plans and collaborate with your Team through trust and transparency. Value everyone and show empathy to all.
• Trust & Transparency - Lead by Example at All Levels: Exemplify the values of the Little Saint Team, earning trust and respect from your colleagues, our guests and the community.
• Professional - Stay Motivated with Enthusiasm: Little Saint encourages and supports education and personal and professional development. Take ownership of your development by approaching everyday and all tasks with dedication and excitement.
• Genuine & Authentic - Be Present and Effectively Communicate: Speak up, listen to others and provide supportive feedback with professionalism and authenticity. Be genuine to yourself and your team.
• Supportive - Embrace Change and Show Up for Your Team: Respond positively to change, remaining supportive of your Team's efforts and needs.

Each of the items listed is considered to be an essential function of the role. However, this list should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities of the position. Little Saint reserves the right to alter the duties of this role.

Little Saint is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Little Saint is committed to hiring a diverse workforce, sustaining an inclusive culture, fostering an environment of continual improvement, and opportunities for growth and career development.