Kitchen Manager

T&J Travel Centers; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 30,307 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Opportunities for growth in leadership

A supportive kitchen environment

Job summary

T&J Travel Centers in Odessa, Texas is seeking a Kitchen Manager for the Tarzan Grill. This leadership role focuses on maintaining high food quality standards, developing kitchen team members, and ensuring smooth kitchen operations. Ideal candidates will be organized, disciplined, and exhibit a strong ownership mentality.

The role offers a competitive salary of 22 - 30 USD per hour, with the opportunity to thrive in a family-style culture built on teamwork and respect.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain food quality standards on every plate.
• Experience in training and developing kitchen team members.
• Proven track record in managing inventory and food supplier ordering.
• Knowledge of food safety protocols and kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Run the Tarzan Grill kitchen, ensuring high food quality standards.
• Develop and manage the kitchen team and oversee food orders.
• Control waste and maintain a clean and organized kitchen.
• Ensure compliance with food safety protocols.

Skills

Ownership mentality

Strong food standards

Coaching and training

Organized and disciplined

Composure under pressure

Servant leadership

Values-aligned (Humble, Hungry, Smart)

Job description

About T&j Travel Centers

At T&J Travel Centers, we’re redefining what a travel center can be — a place where guests experience genuine hospitality, not just convenience. Tarzan Grill is the heart of every T&J location, and the Kitchen Manager is the person who makes it beat. We’re a fast-growing, family-run company built on strong values and servant leadership. We’re looking for a kitchen leader who takes full ownership of food quality, team development, and kitchen operations — someone who runs a tight kitchen, develops their people, and takes pride in every plate that leaves the window.

You’ll Do

You’ll run the Tarzan Grill kitchen at your store — responsible for everything that happens behind the window. You’ll set the standard for food quality, build and develop your kitchen team, manage ordering and inventory, control waste, and keep the kitchen running at full speed. You are the highest-ranking kitchen employee at your store and the GM’s right hand on all things food.

Your Success Will Be Measured By

• Maintain Tarzan Grill food quality standards on every plate — correct portions, proper temps, consistent presentation, no shortcuts
• Train, coach, and develop Kitchen Team Members so they improve in skill, speed, and consistency over time
• Conduct trial shifts for kitchen applicants and make final hiring decisions for your team
• Conduct performance reviews for each Kitchen Team Member using T&J’s review process
• Manage food supplier ordering — accurate pars, timely orders, and proper receiving and storage
• Control food waste through portion discipline, proper storage, rotation, and daily waste tracking
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen that passes every audit and inspection
• Ensure 100% compliance with food safety protocols: temps, dating, labeling, handwashing, and storage
• Keep the line and prep areas set up for success every shift — prep lists completed on time and to spec
• Communicate clearly with the GM and front of house to keep operations running smoothly
• Lead by example — work the line, jump into prep, and set the pace for your team

Key Performance Indicators

We don’t just say “do a great job” — we define it. A-Players at T&J consistently achieve:

• 100% food quality consistency across all shifts
• On Target ticket times during peak and off-peak
• 95%+ kitchen cleanliness and sanitation scores
• 100% food safety protocol compliance
• Food waste tracked and minimized through portion control, storage discipline, and rotation
• Food supplier orders accurate and on time — no emergency runs, no over-ordering
• Kitchen Team Members improving over time in skill, speed, and standards
• Performance reviews completed on time for every direct report
• 95%+ personal attendance and reliability

What You Bring

• Ownership mentality — you treat the kitchen like it’s yours, because it is
• Strong food standards — you know what “right” looks like and you don’t accept less
• A developer of people — you coach, train, and raise the bar for everyone around you
• Organized and disciplined — ordering, inventory, prep lists, and cleaning systems run like clockwork under your leadership
• Composure under pressure — you lead the kitchen calmly and confidently during the hardest rushes
• A servant leader — you lead humbly, work alongside your team, and put others first
• Values-aligned (Humble, Hungry, Smart) — you model integrity, hard work, and emotional intelligence every day

What You Can Expect

• A family-style culture built on respect, teamwork, and humility
• Clear standards, training, and opportunities to grow in leadership
• Competitive salary, performance recognition, and a seat at the leadership table
• A clean, well-equipped, and well-supported kitchen environment
• A General Manager and company leadership team that has your back

Our Values

• Humble: We serve with gratitude and respect.
• Hungry: We work hard, stay curious, and keep improving.
• Smart: We treat people well and make thoughtful decisions.

The Pay Range For This Role Is 22 - 30 USD per hour (Midland/Odessa)