Kitchen Manager

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

Our Kitchen Manager is a key ingredient in keeping the flavor strong and the operation running smooth. This role leads the heart of our restaurant—the kitchen!

The ideal Kitchen Manager is a hands-on leader who brings confidence, consistency, and hustle to the back of house. You’ll coach and develop the culinary team, oversee daily kitchen operations, protect food quality and safety, and help drive a profitable, high-performing restaurant.

At Talkin’ Tacos, leadership isn’t just about running shifts—it’s about building culture, growing people, and raising the bar.

As part of our management team, you’ll step into a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a clear path for growth. We’re serious about great food, strong teams, and a culture of continuous learning—no bland leadership, no dead ends.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING HERE!

• Clear career path and leadership development
• A high-energy, growth-minded restaurant culture
• A team that values learning, accountability, and fun

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR!

• A leader who leads from the front and earns respect through action
• Strong operational and organizational skills
• A passion for food, people development, and high standards
• The ability to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced environment

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead, coach, and direct the kitchen team to execute with speed, quality, and consistency
• Ensure all food is prepared to Talkin’ Tacos standards—bold flavor, zero shortcuts
• Maintain full compliance with health, safety, fire, and food handling regulations at all levels (local, state, and federal)
• Execute and uphold kitchen and restaurant policies and procedures during assigned shiftsStep in on the line when needed and confidently perform all kitchen positions
• Ensure proper food storage, accurate temperatures, and up-to-date recipe books, portions, and ingredients
• Drive accurate daily prep sheets, yield sheets, and conduct monthly inventory
• Anticipate, identify, and solve issues related to inventory, systems, staffing, and execution
• Manage labor costs to meet budgeted goals while protecting food quality and team morale
• Oversee training and development of kitchen team members to build bench strength and future leaders
• Support hiring by interviewing candidates and making thoughtful hiring recommendations