Kitchen Manager

Arancino; East Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arancino Hawaii is looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house team, ensuring top‑quality dishes, safety, and consistency across locations in Waikiki and The Kahala Hotel.

You will hire and develop staff, control costs, manage inventory, and collaborate with leadership on menu rollouts to drive guest satisfaction and sales. This role requires a hands‑on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high‑energy kitchen.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant kitchen management experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Knowledge of inventory management, cost control, and food safety regulations.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, retain, and develop BOH staff.
• Set the pace and tone for kitchen operations.
• Provide ongoing training and development for station progression.
• Conduct regular meetings to communicate goals, updates, and best practices.
• Build strong rapport with team members through active listening and problem-solving.
• Manage cost of sales through inventory control and waste reduction.
• Develop and maintain balanced staff schedules for optimal coverage and efficiency.
• Implement cost-control measures while maintaining quality and service standards.
• Collaborate with leadership to set kitchen performance goals that enhance guest satisfaction and sales.
• Ensure all dishes are prepared to company standards for taste, presentation, and timeliness.
• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and well-organized kitchen environment.
• Oversee food purchasing, storage, and rotation to guarantee freshness and quality.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Cost control

Food safety

Inventory management

Staff development

Communication

Job description

About Us

Voted "Best Italian Restaurant in Hawaii" by Honolulu Magazine's Hale 'Aina Awards for over a decade, Arancino blends classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, using the finest ingredients from Italy and fresh, locally sourced products from Hawaii. With three award-winning locations in Waikiki and at The Kahala Hotel, we are committed to delivering an unforgettable dining experience through exceptional food, service, and atmosphere.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house team. This role provides overall leadership, supervision, and direction for kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, safety, and consistency. The Kitchen Manager will drive operational excellence, mentor and develop staff, and help deliver the best guest experience in town.

Key Responsibilities

People

• Hire, train, retain, and develop BOH staff, fostering a positive and cooperative work environment.
• Set the pace and tone for kitchen operations, motivating the team to achieve results.
• Provide ongoing training and development for station progression.
• Conduct regular meetings to communicate goals, updates, and best practices.
• Build strong rapport with team members through active listening and problem-solving.

Profits

• Manage cost of sales through effective inventory control and waste reduction.
• Develop and maintain balanced staff schedules for optimal coverage and efficiency.
• Implement cost-control measures while maintaining quality and service standards.

Sales

• Support execution of company initiatives and menu rollouts.
• Collaborate with leadership to set kitchen performance goals that enhance guest satisfaction and sales.

Guests

• Ensure all dishes are prepared to company standards for taste, presentation, and timeliness.
• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and well-organized kitchen environment.
• Oversee food purchasing, storage, and rotation to guarantee freshness and quality.
• Respond to operational challenges promptly to ensure the guest experience remains exceptional.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant kitchen management experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Knowledge of inventory management, cost control, and food safety regulations.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for long periods and move throughout the kitchen.
• Lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
• Work in a high-energy, sometimes noisy environment.

If you’re ready to bring your culinary leadership to one of Hawaii’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, we’d love to hear from you.

Voted 'Best Italian Restaurant in Hawaii' by Honolulu Magazine Hale 'Aina Awards 10 years running - showcases classic Italian dishes with a modern twist featuring the finest ingredients imported from Italy and fresh locally sourced products from Hawaii. We have two locations in Waikiki and one at The Kahala Hotel.