Kitchen Leader: Develop Teams, Elevate Flavor

Talkin' Tacos; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Talkin’ Tacos in Nashville, TN is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house team with confidence and high standards. You will coach culinary staff, oversee daily operations, ensure food quality, and uphold safety and sanitation protocols.

This role blends hands-on leadership with culture-building, focuses on training, forecasting, inventory, and cost control, and offers opportunity for growth within a fast-paced, high-energy restaurant environment.

Qualifications

• Leads from the front with strong operational and organizational skills.
• Passion for food, people development, and high standards.
• Stays calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and direct the kitchen team to execute with speed, quality, and consistency.
• Ensure all food meets Talkin’ Tacos standards—bold flavor, no shortcuts.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, fire, and food handling regulations at all levels.
• Step in on the line when needed and perform kitchen roles as required.
• Ensure proper food storage, temperatures, and up-to-date recipe books and ingredients.
• Drive daily prep sheets, yield sheets, and conduct monthly inventory.
• Identify and solve issues related to inventory, systems, staffing, and execution.
• Manage labor costs to meet budget while protecting food quality and morale.
• Oversee training and development to build bench strength and future leaders.
• Assist with hiring by interviewing candidates and making thoughtful recommendations.

Skills

Leadership

Operations

Organization

People development

Calm under pressure

Job description

Talkin’ Tacos in Nashville, TN is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house team with confidence and high standards. You will coach culinary staff, oversee daily operations, ensure food quality, and uphold safety and sanitation protocols.

This role blends hands-on leadership with culture-building, focuses on training, forecasting, inventory, and cost control, and offers opportunity for growth within a fast-paced, high-energy restaurant environment.