Kitchen Manager

NOW Group; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

NOW Group is seeking a Kitchen Manager to oversee daily food service operations at Brienzo’s Pizza + Bar in Peoria Heights. You will ensure safe, high-quality dining experiences, maintain product rotation, and manage inventory and staff scheduling.

You will hold a current food manager certification, supervise kitchen personnel, and liaise with front-of-house to ensure seamless workflow. Flexibility for weekend coverage and deep-cleaning duties is expected.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a kitchen manager or lead chef in a restaurant.
• Strong leadership, motivational, and people skills required.
• Must be able to motivate staff to provide high-quality service on a daily basis.
• Must also have excellent communication skills with customers.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with one another.
• Strong understanding of restaurant management software (RSTU) a plus.
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily food service operations and preparation.
• Maintain current food manager certification and SafeServ card; company reimburses.
• Establish and maintain product rotation and a clean, sanitary kitchen environment.
• Ensure compliance with Peoria Health Department criteria for cleanliness and safety.
• Oversee quality food service at Brienzo’s Pizza + Bar - Peoria Heights.
• Take inventory and manage ordering for food and Pepsi products.
• Manage food delivery check-in and kitchen staffing.
• Oversee back-of-house cleaning procedures and sanitation checklists.
• Liaise with front-of-house for seamless workflow; supervise kitchen staff and training.
• Hold employees accountable to policies and procedures; communicate with GM as needed.
• Own dough management lifecycle and coordinate remotely when off-site.

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Staff motivation

Customer communication

Fast-paced

Restaurant software

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

RSTU

Job description

About the Job

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee daily food service operations and preparation.
• Obtains and keeps current with food manager certification and SafeServ food handlers card, of which the company will reimburse you for.
• Establish and maintain product rotation.
• Establish and maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen environment.
• Understand the Peoria Health Department’s criteria for a clean and safe restaurant and execute accordingly so that the Restaurant exceeds Peoria Health Department’s expectations.
• Establish and maintain quality food service at Brienzo’s Pizza + Bar - Peoria Heights.
• Take inventory and manage all food product ordering.
• Manage and oversee food delivery check-in.
• Take inventory and replenish by ordering Pepsi products for the restaurant.
• Ensure all Brienzo’s Pizza + Bar personnel are present at shifts and providing quality food service at all times.
• Oversee all administrative tasks as they relate to the kitchen department.
• Manage and train kitchen staff including culinary, and other personnel as necessary.
• Ensure all food services operations are being performed by qualified, professional staff.
• Own any additional tasks such as cleaning or maintenance that may need assigned from time to time, including but not limited to deep cleaning.
• Manages kitchen and liaises with front of house personnel and management for a seamless workflow between the kitchen and front of house.
• Holds all employees accountable to the Brienzo's Pizza + Bar policies and procedures in a fair and consistent manner.
• Maintains professionalism at all times, refraining from the usage of profanity, inappropriate jokes, sexual innuendos, etc.
• Has open availability during the week and on the weekends, should the restaurant require your assistance other than when you will be regularly scheduled to work.
• Obtaining food prep work knowledge and executing accordingly.
• Assist in inventory counts for food, supplies, and other items as instructed to assist in the ordering process.
• Own all of the back of house cleaning procedures and policies and communicate with staff and management to effectively ensure ALL tasks are completed on cleaning checklists.
• Cultivates a fun, professional, and rewarding experience for all employees.
• Reports directly to the General Manager and has clear and concise communication in escalating anything necessary or business-related immediately and without hesitation.
• Acts as a team leader in the delegation of tasks, specifically to the kitchen shift leads that report to you.
• Owns the entire life cycle of dough management. If you are not at work, it is expected that you communicate effectively with your team from afar to ensure that dough is managed correctly and efficiently.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience as a kitchen manager or lead chef in a restaurant.
• Strong leadership, motivational, and people skills required.
• Must be able to motivate staff to provide high-quality service on a daily basis.
• Must also have excellent communication skills with customers.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with one another.
• Strong understanding of restaurant management software (RSTU) a plus.
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.

NOW Group is a creative collective specializing in hospitality concepts, curated events and brand partnerships, and strategic consulting. We build standout brands, craft memorable experiences, and help businesses grow with clarity and impact.