Assistant Kitchen Manager: Lead & Elevate Culinary Team

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

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.