Kitchen Director

Chick-fil-A; Perth Amboy (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance– Available after 60 =

401(k)– Available after 90 days

Paid Vacation– 1 week

Break Meal– Complimentary meal

Clothing Reimbursement

Work Shoes

Cell phone stipend

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Chick-fil-A West Pond is seeking a Kitchen Director to lead our kitchen operations, drive food safety and quality, and develop a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.

The role focuses on accountability, culture, and operational excellence, with a strong emphasis on leadership development and sustainable systems for long-term success. bilingual leadership required for diverse staff.

Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience in restaurant operations or high-volume quick-service environments.
• Strong emphasis on food safety, product quality, and sanitation standards.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold team members accountable.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations to ensure safety, quality, and speed of service.
• Oversee kitchen setup, prep planning, and shift execution.
• Manage inventory, food costs, waste, and labor productivity.
• Develop and implement systems for consistent execution across shifts.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety

Team Development

Communication

Problem-solving

Job description

About the Role

Chick-fil-A West Pond is seeking a passionate, results-driven Kitchen Director to lead our kitchen operations and develop a high-performing team.

The Kitchen Director is responsible for ensuring excellence in food safety, food quality, speed of service, operational efficiency, and team development. This individual will set the standard for accountability, execution, and culture while supporting the vision and values of Chick-fil-A.

We are looking for a leader who takes ownership, develops others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to building systems that drive long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Excellence

• Ensure full compliance with Chick-fil-A food safety standards and procedures.
• Lead and oversee Food Safety Assessments (FSA) and maintain continuous readiness for EcoSure inspections.
• Maintain exceptional kitchen cleanliness, organization, and equipment standards.
• Ensure proper food preparation, holding times, and product quality through consistent execution of AHA, FIFO, Pathway, and other operational systems.
• Proactively identify and eliminate food safety risks.

Operational Excellence

• Drive speed of service, order accuracy, and efficiency throughout kitchen operations.
• Oversee kitchen setup, preparation planning, and successful shift execution.
• Maintain equipment functionality and preventive maintenance systems.
• Manage inventory, truck ordering, food waste, and cost control.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce food cost gaps, and strengthen operational performance.
• Develop and implement systems that support consistent execution across all shifts.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop high-performing Back of House leaders.
• Equip Shift Leaders to confidently lead successful shifts and make effective operational decisions.
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance conversations, provide constructive feedback, and create individual development plans.
• Establish a strong leadership pipeline, developing Team Members into Trainers, Shift Leaders, Coordinators, Managers, and future Directors.

Culture & Standards

• Model professionalism, urgency, flexibility, and servant leadership.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and supportive kitchen environment.
• Reinforce Chick-fil-A's core values and operational standards.
• Ensure consistent adherence to uniform, safety, cleanliness, and workplace behavior expectations.
• Lead by example and maintain composure during high-volume and challenging situations.

Results & Accountability

• Take ownership of key BOH performance metrics, including food cost, waste, productivity, food safety, AHA, and speed of service.
• Analyze performance trends and implement measurable improvement plans.Establish clear daily and weekly expectations for kitchen leadership.
• Hold leaders accountable through consistent coaching, follow-up, and performance management.
• Continuously evaluate and improve operational systems and processes.

What We're Looking For

Our ideal Kitchen Director is someone who:

• Leads by example and is willing to work alongside the team.
• Has an unwavering commitment to food safety and product quality.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Is passionate about developing people and building future leaders.
• Takes full ownership of results and follows through on commitments.
• Remains calm, focused, and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.
• Anticipates challenges and adapts quickly to unexpected circumstances.
• Thinks strategically and develops sustainable systems for long-term success.
• Is flexible, dependable, and committed to operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience in restaurant operations, preferably in a high-volume, quick-service environment.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, food safety, inventory, and labor productivity.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold team members accountable.Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Familiarity with Chick-fil-A BOH operations and systems is preferred but not required.
• Must be Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Why Join Our Team?

At Chick-fil-A West Pond, we believe that great leadership begins with serving others. Our Kitchen Director will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by developing future leaders, strengthening operational systems, and creating a kitchen culture built on excellence, accountability, and teamwork.

We are looking for someone who is ready to take ownership of our Back of House operations and help lead our restaurant toward continued growth and success.

Ready to lead, develop, and make an impact?

Benefits & Perks

• Health Insurance– Available after 60 days of employment
• 401(k)– Available after 90 days of employment
• Paid Vacation– 1 week of paid vacation after 1 year of employment
• Break Meal– Complimentary meal during each shift
• Clothing Reimbursement– Up to $300 in approved clothing purchases available for reimbursement after 90 days
• Work Shoes– 1 pair of work shoes provided/reimbursed per year
• $50/mo towards cell phone bill after 90 days
• Upfront tuition assistance after 90 days for thousands of online courses, covering life skills, languages, trades, degrees, and more to help support you in your personal and professional growth. No waiting for reimbursements - tuition is paid directly to academic providers on your behalf. Choose from a wide range of online programs and learning providers for wherever you may be in your education journey

Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,300 restaurants in 47 states and Washington, D.C.