Kitchen Manager

Wachusett Brewing Company; Bridgewater Corners (VT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Barrel One Collective, the team behind leading craft beverage brands, is seeking a Kitchen Manager for Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater, VT. You will lead back-of-house operations and guide a kitchen that supports exceptional beer and food experiences.

Lead seasonal menus, manage staff, food costs, and ensure health and safety standards while collaborating with front-of-house and brewing teams. This is a hands-on, people-first leadership role within a vibrant brewery restaurant.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of kitchen management experience in a high-volume restaurant or brewpub.
• Strong culinary foundation, preferably in scratch kitchens and seasonal cooking.
• Proven leadership ability to coach and motivate diverse kitchen teams.
• Experience with budgeting, food cost tracking, and vendor management.
• ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Passion for hospitality and craft beer.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Leadership & Team Development: Hire, train, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team; design and execute seasonal menus; lead daily kitchen operations; develop training plans to promote growth and accountability.
• Operational & Financial Management: Maintain food cost targets through smart inventory management and vendor partnerships; manage kitchen labor and scheduling; ensure health, cleanliness, and policy compliance; lead prep and production systems to maximize consistency and minimize waste.
• Guest Experience & Brand Alignment: Partner with FOH leadership to ensure smooth kitchen-to-dining flow and fast ticket times; support events with strong culinary execution; promote beer pairings in collaboration with brewing and front-of-house teams.

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Budgeting

Food cost tracking

ServSafe certified

Hospitality & beer

Job description

Exciting New Opportunity: Kitchen Manager - Long Trail Brewery, Bridgewater, VT

Are you a passionate and driven culinary leader ready to take the helm of a fast-paced, guest-loved brewery restaurant? Long Trail is looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house operations and continue delivering outstanding food and craft beer experiences in a uniquely local, vibrant setting.

Exciting New Opportunity: Kitchen Manager - Long Trail Brewery, Bridgewater, VT

Are you a passionate and driven culinary leader ready to take the helm of a fast-paced, guest-loved brewery restaurant? Long Trail is looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house operations and continue delivering outstanding food and craft beer experiences in a uniquely local, vibrant setting. This is more than just a kitchen leadership role-it's a chance to help shape the food program at one of Massachusetts' most beloved and recognized craft breweries.

What Makes This Opportunity Exciting?

• Be Part of a Community Staple - Help build on its legacy with a food program that complements and elevates the guest experience.
• Lead with Creativity & Expertise - Collaborate on menu development, implement operational best practices, and bring your kitchen team together under a shared standard of excellence.
• Celebrate New England Flavors - We emphasize scratch cooking, smart sourcing, and seasonal innovation that celebrates the region.
• Make an Impact - Build a strong kitchen culture focused on training, growth, and accountability while driving operational success.

Position Overview

As Kitchen Manager, you'll oversee all culinary operations at Long Trails restaurant, from back-of-house staffing and food production to inventory management and sanitation. You'll work closely with our front-of-house leadership team to ensure a seamless, high-quality guest experience that reflects the brand.

What You'll Do

Culinary Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team committed to standards of food quality and service
• Design and execute seasonal menus that support creative expression and operational efficiency
• Lead daily kitchen operations with a hands-on, people-first approach
• Develop training plans and clear expectations to promote growth and accountability

Operational & Financial Management

• Maintain food cost targets through smart inventory management and vendor partnerships
• Manage kitchen labor and scheduling for operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with health department regulations, cleanliness standards, and company policies
• Lead prep and production systems that maximize consistency and minimize waste

Guest Experience & Brand Alignment

• Partner with FOH leadership to ensure smooth kitchen-to-dining flow and fast ticket times
• Support events, beer dinners, and private functions with strong culinary execution
• Promote thoughtful food and beer pairings in collaboration with our brewing and front-of-house teams

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of kitchen management experience in a high-volume restaurant or brewpub
• Strong culinary foundation, preferably in scratch kitchens and seasonal cooking
• Proven leadership ability to coach and motivate diverse kitchen teams
• Experience with budgeting, food cost tracking, and vendor management
• ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Passion for hospitality and craft beer

Why Join Barrel One Collective?

Barrel One Collective, the team behind leading craft beverage and hospitality brands like Harpoon, Long Trail, Smuttynose, and more. We believe in creating guest-focused spaces where amazing beer and food bring people together. As part of our growing collective, you'll have the opportunity to lead, collaborate, and make a real impact in a fast-moving, people-first environment.