Assistant Manager

The Opportunity

Aubergine Kitchen is a fast-growing, health-forward fast-casual brand operating across Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada — with several new locations opening in the next 18 months. Our mission is changing lives with real food, and we take pride in offering food that is both delicious and genuinely good for you.

As we grow, we need Assistant Managers who are ready to step into the leadership gap — running shifts with confidence, developing the crew around them, and partnering closely with the GM to keep the restaurant performing at a high level.

This is not a background role. The best AMs at Aubergine are on the floor, in the kitchen, and in the conversations that matter — building the habits and relationships that make great teams possible. If you are looking to grow into a GM role, this is where that path begins.

What You Will Own

Shift Leadership & Daily Operations

• Run assigned shifts across both front and back of house — organized, present, and setting the pace for the team

• Ensure all processes are executed to Aubergine Kitchen standards every shift, not just when the GM is watching

• Monitor the floor, identify what needs attention, and step in or redirect without waiting to be asked

• Maintain compliance with food safety standards and health regulations during every shift you lead

• Prepare shift recaps for the GM that honestly reflect what happened — successes, challenges, and what you did about them

Team Development

The most important thing an Assistant Manager does at Aubergine is help the people around them get better.

• Support the onboarding of new team members and act as a coach during training — not just an observer

• Provide direct, constructive feedback in the moment — the kind that makes people improve, not shut down

• Know where each person on your shift stands and what they need to take the next step

• Cultivate a team culture built on positivity, accountability, and genuine care for each other and the guest

Guest Experience

• Set the standard for hospitality during your shifts — model the experience you want your team to deliver

• Resolve guest complaints with empathy, speed, and a solution — turning difficult moments into reasons to return

• Build real relationships with regular guests and make every person who walks in feel like they are in the right place

Operations & Standards

• Assist with inventory management: receiving, storage, FIFO rotation, and waste minimization

• Collaborate with the GM on cost awareness and identifying opportunities to tighten operational efficiency

• Perform equipment and facility checks during your shifts and escalate issues before they become disruptions

• Support the execution of new menu launches and operational rollouts — ensuring your team is trained and ready

• Step into any station when the team needs it — line, front counter, prep, or guest-facing support

Support for Growth Initiatives

• Execute operational changes and new standards introduced by the GM or corporate — translate direction into team action

• Identify what is not working on your shifts and bring solutions to the GM, not just observations

• Participate in the continuous improvement mindset that defines Aubergine: every shift is a chance to do it better

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive with Assistant Manager roles at comparable fast-casual brands and reflects the full scope of this position.

Full compensation details are shared during the interview process. Additional benefits include meal benefits, PTO, and access to Aubergine’s leadership development path.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a developing restaurant leader who is ready to take real ownership of their shifts, their team, and their own growth. Someone who leads by example. Someone who is honest about what is working and what is not. Someone who is energized by a growing brand and sees this role as the start of something, not the ceiling.

You Bring:

• Prior experience in a restaurant environment — shift lead, keyholder, or supervisory experience is preferred but not required

• A genuine interest in developing people, not just completing tasks

• Ability to stay composed and make sound decisions during high-volume, high-pressure situations

• Strong interpersonal communication — you give feedback in a way that lands, and you keep the team aligned

• Attention to detail and follow-through on operational and service standards

• A proactive, growth-oriented mindset — you look for what needs to be done before someone has to ask

You Lead Like This:

• You are on the floor — present, observing, and working alongside your team

• You develop first, evaluate second — you coach before you correct, and build trust before you demand performance

• You own your outcomes — when something goes wrong, you find the cause and fix it

• You are honest with your team and your GM about what is actually happening during your shifts

• You are energized by a growing brand, not slowed down by one that does not have every answer yet

Requirements:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Portuguese — required

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Food Handler Certificate required within 14 days of hire — company support provided

• Food Manager Certification required within 60 days of hire — company support provided

• Availability to work full-time Monday through Saturday, including most holidays — Aubergine is closed on Sundays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain active on the floor for extended periods; ability to lift up to 50 lbs

• Must successfully complete Aubergine’s training program and leadership-specific certification

About Aubergine Kitchen

Aubergine Kitchen is a fast-casual, health-forward restaurant brand built around food that is genuinely good: fresh ingredients, chef-inspired recipes, and a menu that ranges from bowls and salads to plates and sandwiches to smoothies and desserts. We operate across Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada, with locations opening in additional states in the near future.

We are a company that invests in our leaders, promotes from within, and builds careers alongside a growing brand. Our Assistant Managers become GMs. Our GMs become District Managers. We are growing fast enough that the right leaders will grow with us.