Kitchen Manager

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.; Paramus (NJ); On-site; USD 63,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

All the pizza you can eat!

Job summary

California Pizza Kitchen is hiring for a high-volume kitchen leadership role in Paramus, NJ. You will oversee daily kitchen operations, ensure a top-tier guest experience, and mentor a team of cooks and kitchen staff.

The position emphasizes leadership, hospitality, and cost control in a dynamic environment. The company values growth and internal promotion, offering a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years BOH management experience in a high volume, fast-paced restaurant.
• Strong communication skills – verbal and written.
• Exceptional leadership skills – motivate, inspire and develop a team.
• Passionate about execution, hospitality and service.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a phenomenal guest experience.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and coordination between prep, cooking and plating.
• Maintain optimal workflow during peak periods and adapt as needed.
• Lead and inspire the team with a people-first mentality and culture.
• Develop top talent through cross-training and career growth opportunities.
• Manage the P&L, forecast labor, budget, and analyze variances.
• Communicate effectively with employees, guests, suppliers and senior management.

Skills

BOH management

Leadership

Communication

Multitasking

Spanish (bonus)

Job description

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and Service). We are committed to moving people forward and encourage everyone to apply their passion at CPK. So go ahead…be bold, be epic, be YOU! THE PERKS Comprehensive eight-week training program utilizing several methods of learning including online, book and shoulder-to-shoulder teaching. Tremendously passionate, one-of-a-kind company culture. Opportunities for growth and development. We love promoting from within! Unique electronic learning platform appropriately titled "The Proof" to engage continuous development. All the pizza you can eat! Manager meals while working and a Management Dine-Out card to enjoy with your family and friends. An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. Employee driven assistance program called the Kindness Fund which lends a helping hand to our team members encountering life challenges. Industry competitive compensation package including bonus potential. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision and more.

OUR EXPECTATIONS

• Delivering a phenomenal guest experience.
• Overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the kitchen, ensuring smooth coordination between food preparation, cooking, and plating.
• Maintain optimal workflow during peak periods and adapt, as necessary.
• Leading and inspiring the team with a people-first mentality to build on CPK's best in class culture.
• Building a team around hospitality and culinary execution and developing top talent to drive the business forward - fostering career growth and cross training for the team.
• Building sales, profitability, and guest counts.
• Managing the P&L for the restaurant.
• Meeting financial objectives by forecasting, adjusting labor expenditures, practicing portion controls, preparing budgets, and analyzing variances.
• Utilizing excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with employees, guests, suppliers and senior management.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Maintaining a safe and healthy environment by establishing, following, and complying with sanitation standards and procedures.

WHO IS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

We are passionate individuals committed to inspiring others by bringing California creativity to every meal! Founded in 1985, former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their fervor for food and fresh ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club and Thai Chicken that are created in a lively open kitchen. The concept gave California a place in the pizza revolution alongside Chicago and New York. CPK has since become the place for taste makers, rule breakers and earth shakers who conquer challenges by daring to work on the edge and thinking outside the box.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of two years BOH management experience in a high volume, faced paced restaurant.
• Strong communication skills – verbal and written.
• Exceptional leadership skills – ability to motivate, inspire and develop a team.
• Passionate about execution, hospitality and service.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to computer terminals.
• The noise level and temperature is moderate.
• The employee has the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 10 hours a day.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend or kneel, lift up to 40 lbs. and perform other diverse physical tasks as needed.
• The vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

NOTE: CPK reserves the right to revise or change the position plan as the need arises. This position plan is not all inclusive of total job responsibilities nor does it constitute a written or implied contract of employment. A full job description, including physical demands of the job is available upon request.

The current salary range for this position is USD $63,000 to $68,000.

Various benefits are available for this position, including 401K, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance through CPK's designated providers.

CPK regularly reviews its benefits offerings and may change benefits and providers from time to time.

California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or any other legally protected classification. Everyone has a seat at our table.

It's your career, Let it R.O.C.K! Since we first opened our doors in 1985, our R.O.C.K. philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness) has set CPK apart from those both inside and outside our industry. It’s not just a saying we hang on the wall but something we all strive to live and breathe every day. These values allow our employees to be who they (really) are, encourage everyone to apply their passion to their role, and open the door for all to fulfill their potential and exceed their expectations within the organization.

RESPECT

Respect guides us as a company and as individuals to value our guests, co-workers, community, vendors and environment. We continually seek out the opinions of team members, guests, and communities to learn and enhance the CPK experience. Simply said, all voices matter, and our focus on respect ensures that all voices are heard.

OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity at CPK is real and tangible. Through exciting career growth and cross training, we're always looking to develop and refine our top talent to drive the business and lead others. CPK challenges its employees to learn about the business at every level. Our most talented employees are provided with opportunities to contribute in a meaningful way, to help fuel the growth of our organization.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is actively encouraged at CPK. We have an open-door policy and a culture where everyone is known on a first name basis and always welcome to speak up.

KINDNESS

Kindness defines the energy and spirit of California Pizza Kitchen. It shapes and guides how we develop, communicate, and hold each other accountable to our high standards.