Kitchen Manager

Luna Grill; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive overtime

Performance bonuses

Medical Insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Employee referrals

Career growth

Job summary

Luna Grill in El Cajon, CA is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead the back of house, coach a growing team, and uphold speed, quality, and hospitality.

You will work side-by-side with the team, shepherd line operations, and develop talent toward GM roles. The role offers opportunities for career growth in a fast-casual brand that values culture and teamwork.

Qualifications include 3–5 years BOH, bilingual English/Spanish, ServSafe, and comfort on the line; strong leadership and organization required.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of restaurant or BOH leadership experience.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Food Handler / ServSafe certification.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and mentor BOH team members working alongside them.
• Assign shifts, stations, and daily tasks to keep the kitchen moving.
• Coach performance and provide real-time feedback.
• Foster a positive, professional, safety-focused kitchen culture.
• Lead and participate in team meetings and training sessions.
• Jump into any station to maintain quality and speed during peak times.
• Ensure every plate meets Luna Grill standards and safety practices.
• Monitor inventory and contribute to cost controls.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Bilingual

Tools

Microsoft Office

Dayforce

Sysco

Job description

Join Our Team as a Kitchen Manager

Are you a proven restaurant leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, builds strong teams, and drives results wherever you go? At Luna Grill, you won't just hear us say we have great culture, we can prove it:

• Rapid Growth: We built 11 new restaurants across Southern California, Arizona, and Texas in 2026, with more growth planned for 2027 (including our first locations in Nevada!!). Growth like this means real opportunity: more restaurants, more leadership roles, and more room to move up.
• Training & Culture That Works: Our restaurant-level turnover sits below 50%!!! less than half the industry average. That's not an accident; it's what happens when people are developed, supported, and are a part of something great!
• A Team That's Winning: We’ve averaged a 4.8 guest review rating on Google and Yelp company-wide for two years running!!Join a team that's winning and be a winner with us.

As a Kitchen Manager, you’ll step into a hands‑on leadership role running the back of house at your Luna Grill restaurant, working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with your team to hit our standards for speed, quality, and hospitality, shift after shift. You won’t manage from behind a clipboard. You’ll lead from the line, cooking, coaching, and problem‑solving in real time in a fast‑paced, fast‑casual kitchen. This role is a launchpad: you’ll partner with your General Manager, build a team you’re proud of, and develop the experience to grow into an AGM, GM, or beyond. We build leaders from within every level: Cook → Lead Cook → KM → AGM → GM and beyond.

Why You\'ll Love Working at Luna Grill

• Competitive hourly rate + guaranteed overtime (50-hour workweek) (compensation varies by region and market)
• Quarterly performance bonuses
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) eligibility
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays & Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Career growth in a fast‑growing, people‑first brand
• A culture rooted in teamwork, respect, and hospitality

What You\'ll Do

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, train, and mentor BOH team members, including new hires — by working alongside them, not just observing
• Assign shifts, stations, and daily tasks to keep the kitchen moving
• Coach performance, give real‑time feedback, and support corrective actions
• Foster a positive, professional, safety‑focused kitchen culture
• Lead and participate in team meetings and training sessions

Operations & Food Excellence

• Jump into any station — grill, flattop, fryer, or line — to keep quality and speed on point during peak rushes
• Ensure every plate meets Luna Grill standards, every time
• Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices
• Complete required audits, logs, and operational checklists
• Support catering orders, special events, and operational planning

Inventory, Cost & Compliance

• Manage inventory, stock levels, and product rotation (FIFO)
• Control food and labor costs through smart planning and tight execution
• Monitor equipment condition and report maintenance needs
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, meal/rest breaks, and safety policies

What We\'re Looking For

• 3–5 years of restaurant or BOH experience in a fast‑casual or quick‑service environment; management experience required
• Comfort working the line daily alongside your team — this is not a desk‑bound or banquet‑style leadership role
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• High standards for food quality, cleanliness, and presentation
• Ability to multitask, problem‑solve, and lead under pressure
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations
• Experience with systems like Microsoft Office, Dayforce, Sysco, or similar
• Food Handler / ServSafe certification required

Who We Are

We are Lunatics — driven by culture, standards, and teamwork, where people come first. You will not just be running a line. You will be owning the whole back of house, from food quality and safety to inventory, food cost, and scheduling, and training a kitchen team that cooks Luna Grill recipes the right way every shift.

Luna Grill participates in E‑Verify for all positions.

E‑Verify is an internet‑based system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. E‑Verify checks information provided on an employee’s Form I‑9 electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases.

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.