Kitchen Manager

Yora Nordic Spa; Portland (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Wellness privileges

Discounted experiences

Bistro discounts

Learning & development

Job summary

Yora Nordic Spa in Portland, CT is looking for a Kitchen Manager to join our founding leadership team as we prepare to open in November 2026. You will recruit, lead and develop the Kitchen team and ensure food is fresh, beautifully presented and produced to spec.

You will partner with the Food & Beverage Manager, manage costs and schedules, maintain safety standards and help deliver a wellness-focused guest experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of progressive culinary leadership in hospitality or wellness-focused dining.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of food production, kitchen systems and food safety standards.
• Experience managing labor, scheduling, inventory, purchasing and budgets.
• Strong financial awareness and operational planning skills.
• Excellent communication, coaching, organization and problem-solving.
• Proficiency with inventory management, scheduling software, Microsoft Office and restaurant tech.
• Hands-on, calm leadership style for a fast-paced kitchen.
• A genuine interest in creating fresh, nourishing food contributing to guest wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, coach and develop a high-performing Kitchen team.
• Lead daily kitchen operations with organization and efficiency.
• Ensure menu items are fresh, well-presented and prepared to specs.
• Manage production planning, scheduling, labor, inventory, equipment and budgets.
• Ensure health-department compliance and food-safety standards.
• Conduct regular kitchen inspections and safety audits.
• Maintain proper food storage, labeling, rotation and temperature control.
• Provide a safe working environment and train on equipment and emergencies.
• Collaborate with Front of House and Maintenance for a seamless guest experience.
• Respond to guest feedback and service recovery opportunities.
• Manage food cost, waste and operating expenses without compromising quality.
• Manage purchasing and vendor relationships for quality and value.
• Execute culinary programs and provide operational feedback for improvement.
• Use feedback and data to improve kitchen operations.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team leadership

Food production

Labor budgeting

Financial awareness

Communication

Inventory systems

Scheduling software

Hands-on leadership

Wellbeing food focus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Restaurant technology systems

Scheduling software

Job description

Work in Wellness at the New Yora Nordic Spa

Kitchen Manager

Something New Is Taking Shape

Opening in November 2026, Yora Nordic Spa is a place to pause, reconnect and experience wellbeing through nature, hydrotherapy and authentic human connection. It is a space where our team will create thoughtful and welcoming experiences that help guests reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural world around them.

We are now building our founding team—the people who will bring Yora Nordic Spa to life and shape our culture from the very beginning. Working at Yora means working in wellness and contributing to a workplace and guest experience that are simple, inclusive, natural and social.

The Opportunity

The Kitchen Manager will be part of Yora's founding leadership team. Working alongside the Food & Beverage Manager, this role will recruit, prepare and lead the Kitchen team responsible for creating the fresh, nourishing and beautifully presented food that will welcome Yora Nordic Spa's first guests in November 2026. This role is anticipated to start in mid-October 2026.

The Kitchen Manager creates confidence through consistency. Through thoughtful leadership, strong kitchen operations and an uncompromising commitment to culinary excellence, this role builds a team that delivers exceptional food while fostering craftsmanship, accountability, safety and continuous improvement.

What You Will Do

• Recruit, onboard, coach and develop an engaged, high-performing Kitchen team.
• Lead daily kitchen operations with consistency, organization and efficiency.
• Ensure every menu item is fresh, beautifully presented and prepared according to approved recipes, portions and specifications.
• Manage production planning, scheduling, labor, inventory, equipment and departmental budgets.
• Ensure compliance with health-department regulations, HACCP requirements and food-safety and sanitation standards.
• Conduct regular kitchen inspections and safety audits and lead corrective actions when required.
• Ensure proper food storage, labeling, rotation and temperature control.
• Maintain a safe working environment and train team members on equipment operation and emergency procedures.
• Partner with Front of House and Maintenance teams to deliver a seamless Bistro experience and maintain operational readiness.
• Respond professionally to guest feedback and service-recovery opportunities.
• Manage food cost, inventory, waste and operating expenses without compromising quality.
• Manage purchasing and vendor relationships to maximize quality, consistency and value.
• Execute culinary programs and provide operational feedback that supports continuous improvement.
• Use guest feedback, operational data and financial performance to continuously improve kitchen operations.

What You Bring

• Three to five years of progressive culinary leadership experience in hospitality, premium casual dining, cafes or wellness-focused food service.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of food production, kitchen systems, food safety and sanitation standards.
• Experience managing labor, scheduling, inventory, purchasing and departmental budgets.
• Strong financial awareness and operational planning skills.
• Excellent communication, coaching, organization and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using inventory-management, scheduling, Microsoft Office and restaurant technology systems.
• A visible, hands-on leadership style and the ability to remain calm in a fast-paced commercial kitchen.
• A genuine interest in creating fresh, nourishing food that contributes to the guest's experience of wellbeing.

Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site leadership position. The Kitchen Manager must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays based on business needs. Additional flexibility will be required during the pre-opening and opening periods.

Benefits and Perks

As a member of Yora's founding team, you will be eligible to participate in a range of employee benefits and perks, which are expected to include:

• Health and wellness benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Employee wellness privileges and discounted experiences at Yora Nordic Spa locations.
• Bistro and retail discounts.
• Learning, growth and development opportunities within a growing wellness brand.

Yora is currently finalizing its employee benefit plans. Specific coverage, eligibility requirements, employee contributions and plan terms will be shared during the recruitment process and will be governed by the applicable plan documents.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This is an active position requiring extended periods of standing and walking in a fast-paced commercial kitchen. The role involves frequent bending, reaching, twisting and crouching; pushing and pulling kitchen equipment and supply carts; lifting and carrying routine food products, cookware, supplies and equipment; and performing repetitive hand and arm movements associated with food preparation. Employees work around hot surfaces, open flames, ovens, steam, refrigeration equipment, sharp utensils, commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning products and chemicals, noise, food allergens, changing temperatures and wet or slippery surfaces. Appropriate food-safety procedures, equipment-safety practices and protective equipment must be used when required. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation

Yora Nordic Spa provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law. To request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact People & Culture at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Yora Nordic Spa is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, age, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Work Here. Soak Here. Help Us Bring Yora Nordic Spa to Life.