Assistant Kitchen Manager

We are a growing Thai restaurant group seeking an experienced, organized, and hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead the Back-of-House team at our new location.

This is a leadership position for someone who is equally comfortable working the line during a busy service, leading and developing a kitchen team, and handling the administrative responsibilities that come with managing a restaurant kitchen.

Strong wok experience is highly preferred. Experience working with Thai, Asian, or other high-volume wok-driven cuisine is a major plus.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Kitchen Operations & Leadership
- Lead and supervise all BOH employees, including line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers.
- Maintain an organized, professional, and productive kitchen environment.
- Lead by example and remain hands-on during high-volume services.
- Ensure the kitchen is properly staffed, prepared, and ready for each service.
- Maintain efficient ticket times and workflow during peak periods.
- Ensure recipes, portions, plating, and food quality remain consistent.
- Maintain strong communication between BOH, FOH, and restaurant management.
- Identify operational problems and take initiative to resolve them.

Staff Training & Development
- Train and develop new and existing kitchen employees.
- Hold employees accountable to restaurant policies, recipes, procedures, and performance expectations.
- Provide coaching and corrective feedback when necessary.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and employee development.
- Help create a respectful, professional kitchen culture built around teamwork and accountability.

Inventory, Ordering & Cost Control
- Manage food and kitchen inventory and maintain accurate counts.
- Place and receive vendor orders.
- Review deliveries and invoices for accuracy.
- Monitor food usage, waste, portion control, and product rotation.
- Maintain proper FIFO procedures and food storage.
- Help management identify opportunities to improve food cost and reduce unnecessary waste.

Food Safety & Sanitation
- Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready kitchen at all times.
- Enforce all food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements.
- Ensure employees follow proper food handling, labeling, storage, temperature, and cleaning procedures.
- Maintain cleaning schedules and hold the BOH team accountable for completion.

Administrative Responsibilities

The Kitchen Manager must be comfortable using computers and restaurant management systems for tasks including:
- Employee scheduling
- Inventory management
- Vendor invoices and ordering
- POS systems
- Digital checklists and restaurant management platforms
- Email and basic computer-based communication

Experience with restaurant POS, scheduling, inventory, or similar management software is strongly preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of kitchen management, supervisory, or equivalent leadership experience in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Strong wok cooking experience highly preferred.
- Thai or Asian restaurant experience is a major plus.
- Must be able to speak and understand English sufficiently to communicate effectively with employees, management, vendors, and FOH staff and to understand written operational and safety materials.
- Strong leadership and team-management skills.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Comfortable using computers and learning new restaurant management software.
- Knowledge of inventory, ordering, food cost, scheduling, and labor management.
- Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-focused during high-volume service.
- Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation standards.
- Food Handler Certification required; Food Protection Manager Certification preferred.
- Reliable transportation.
- Must have flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Paid time off
- Employee meal discounts
- Opportunity for growth within a growing restaurant group

We are looking for someone who wants to take ownership of their kitchen, develop a strong team, and help establish a successful new restaurant from the ground up.