Assistant Kitchen Manager (Kona)

Kona Brewing Co.; Kailua (HI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

401K with match

Other benefits and perks

Job summary

Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi is seeking an Assistant Kitchen Manager to lead and support the culinary team in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island. You will work with the Culinary Manager to deliver consistent, high-quality food and an outstanding guest experience while overseeing daily kitchen operations, training, and standards.

The role emphasizes cost control, sanitation, menu launches, and collaboration with restaurant leadership to ensure smooth service from everyday operations to events and promotions.

Qualifications

• Experience in restaurant kitchen operations and coaching or leading culinary team members.
• Strong working knowledge of kitchen preparation, line execution, recipe consistency, portion control, and presentation.
• Commitment to food safety, sanitation, and a clean, organized kitchen.
• Understanding of inventory, purchasing, receiving, waste control, and food-cost fundamentals.
• Ability to organize priorities, delegate clearly, and maintain standards during busy service.
• Respectful, direct communication and a collaborative approach to working with kitchen, service, and management teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the team with professionalism and accountability.
• Coach cooks, prep cooks, dish team members, and developing leaders on culinary technique, food safety, productivity, and service standards.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and training so team members understand expectations and have the tools to succeed.
• Provide clear, timely feedback, recognize strong performance, and follow through on improvement needs.
• Help build a kitchen culture where people feel supported, take ownership, and communicate openly.
• Support daily kitchen readiness, including prep plans, station assignments, pars, and opening and closing standards.
• Reinforce recipes, portions, product specifications, plating guides, and presentation standards.
• Help execute menu changes, tastings, specials, and new culinary initiatives under the direction of the Culinary Manager.
• Maintain quality, sanitation, and food-safety standards throughout preparation and service.
• Identify operational challenges early, help resolve them, and bring forward ideas for improvement.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Inventory & cost control

Staff training

Communication

Job description

Great food starts with a prepared kitchen, clear expectations, and a team that feels supported. Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi is looking for an Assistant Kitchen Manager who leads by example, takes pride in the craft, and helps the culinary team deliver consistent, high-quality food and a great guest experience.

In this hands-on leadership role, you’ll support the Culinary Manager with daily kitchen operations, team development, food quality, sanitation, and cost control. You’ll also partner with restaurant leadership to keep the kitchen and service teams aligned, from everyday service to menu launches, promotions, and special events.

This role reports primarily to the Culinary Manager and works closely with the Restaurant General Manager.

What You’ll Do

Lead and Develop the Team

• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and respect in your daily work.
• Coach cooks, prep cooks, dish team members, and developing leaders on culinary technique, food safety, productivity, and service standards.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and training so team members understand expectations and have the tools to succeed.
• Provide clear, timely feedback, recognize strong performance, and follow through on improvement needs.
• Help build a kitchen culture where people feel supported, take ownership, and communicate openly.
• Support daily kitchen readiness, including prep plans, station assignments, pars, and opening and closing standards.
• Reinforce recipes, portions, product specifications, plating guides, and presentation standards.
• Help execute menu changes, tastings, specials, and new culinary initiatives under the direction of the Culinary Manager.
• Maintain quality, sanitation, and food-safety standards throughout preparation and service.
• Identify operational challenges early, help resolve them, and bring forward ideas for improvement.

Support Cost Control and Accurate Records

• Help manage purchasing, receiving, product rotation, inventory, and waste control.
• Monitor portioning, product usage, labor productivity, and daily food-cost considerations.
• Maintain accurate assigned records, including invoices, inventory counts, waste tracking, and purchasing information.
• Support established budget and performance goals, communicate discrepancies promptly, and help carry out corrective actions.

Keep Kitchen and Service Teams Connected

• Communicate promptly with front-of-house leaders about ticket times, allergens, modifications, unavailable items, special requests, and guest concerns.
• Support food-knowledge training so service and beverage teams can communicate menu information clearly.
• Coordinate with restaurant leadership on menu rollouts, pairings, promotions, and special menus.
• Keep the Culinary Manager informed of issues that may affect quality, service, or the guest experience.

Help Execute Events and Special Projects

• Translate culinary direction into clear prep plans, production timelines, and station assignments for events, catering, and promotions.
• Support consistent food quality and presentation across special projects.
• Communicate staffing, product, equipment, and timing needs early.
• Provide assigned culinary information and follow-through to help restaurant and marketing teams meet project deadlines.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in both the food and the team behind it. You bring:

• Experience in restaurant kitchen operations and coaching or leading culinary team members.
• Strong working knowledge of kitchen preparation, line execution, recipe consistency, portion control, and presentation.
• A commitment to food safety, sanitation, and a clean, organized kitchen.
• An understanding of inventory, purchasing, receiving, waste control, and food-cost fundamentals.
• The ability to organize priorities, delegate clearly, and maintain standards during busy service.
• Respectful, direct communication and a collaborative approach to working with kitchen, service, and management teams.
• Dependability, sound judgment, and the willingness to ask questions, learn, and follow through.
• A continuous-improvement mindset for your own work, the team’s performance, and the guest experience.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Success in this role means the kitchen is prepared, food is executed consistently, and team members know what is expected of them. You’ll help create an environment where commitments are kept, concerns are raised early, and people work together to improve quality, efficiency, and service. Through your daily actions, you’ll model Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi’s purpose and values and represent the company with professionalism to team members, guests, vendors, and the community.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range is $65,000-$76,000 per year with a potential bonus. In addition, we offer medical, dental, 401K with match, and a range of other benefits and perks.

About Kona Brewing Hawaii

Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi is an independent, island-born craft brewery headquartered in Kailua-Kona on Hawaiʻi Island, with an additional pub in Hawaiʻi Kai on Oʻahu. Founded in 1994, the brewery is known for creating Hawaiʻi-inspired beers that reflect the islands’ spirit and natural beauty, served fresh across its local pubs and restaurants throughout the state. The team focuses on sustainability, community connection, and living aloha every day, offering a welcoming, growth-minded workplace for people who love great beer and Hawaiʻi.