Kitchen Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled, experienced Kitchen Manager to lead the culinary operations of our busy, full-service restaurant

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone with extensive kitchen knowledge, strong management skills, and the ability to successfully oversee a large team in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, fluent in both English and Spanish, and committed to maintaining exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and efficiency.

We are looking for an experienced culinary professional who understands how to lead from the kitchen floor, develop a strong team, control costs, and ensure that every dish meets Katella’s standards.

• Direct and oversee all daily back-of-house and kitchen operations

• Lead, train, supervise, schedule, and motivate kitchen employees

• Communicate effectively with team members in both English and Spanish

• Maintain the quality, flavor, presentation, and consistency of all menu items

• Ensure traditional Jewish deli dishes and other high-volume menu items are prepared according to established recipes and standards

• Oversee food preparation, production, service, and kitchen workflow

• Manage inventory, ordering, receiving, storage, and product rotation

• Monitor food and labor costs while identifying ways to reduce unnecessary waste

• Maintain appropriate staffing levels based on business volume

• Enforce portion-control standards and approved recipes

• Ensure compliance with health department regulations and all food-safety and sanitation requirements

• Maintain an exceptionally clean, organized, and safe kitchen

• Inspect equipment and coordinate necessary maintenance or repairs

• Work closely with ownership, management, bakery production, and front-of-house teams

• Resolve operational and employee-related issues professionally and efficiently

• Assist with menu development, recipe improvements, and kitchen systems

• Help preserve Katella’s traditions while improving overall kitchen performance and organization

• Several years of successful kitchen management experience in a high-volume restaurant

• Strong culinary knowledge and excellent understanding of professional kitchen operations

• Proven experience managing and developing a large kitchen team

• Fluency in both English and Spanish is required

• Experience working in a Jewish deli, traditional deli, bakery, or similar restaurant environment is strongly preferred

• Familiarity with traditional Jewish deli cuisine is highly desirable

• Strong knowledge of inventory management, purchasing, food costs, labor costs, and waste control

• Excellent leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work calmly and effectively during high-volume service

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to consistency

• Current Food Manager Certification or ability to obtain certification

• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays

The right person will be a confident and respected kitchen leader who can balance culinary quality with strong operational management. This individual should be comfortable working alongside the team, holding employees accountable, improving kitchen systems, and maintaining the traditions and quality associated with an established Jewish deli.

We are seeking someone who takes ownership of the kitchen and has the experience, discipline, and leadership ability to make an immediate impact.