Kitchen Manager

HOT GAI LLC - b4a5; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Hot Gai Llc in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations at GAI Chicken Rice. You will be on the line, setting the pace, enforcing standards, and ensuring every plate meets our quality.

You are responsible for food consistency, team performance, cost control, and maintaining a clean, efficient kitchen that can handle high-volume service. This is a full-time role based in San Francisco.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5+ years kitchen management experience.
• Strong understanding of high-volume kitchen operations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team.
• Solid grasp of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Comfortable working on the line during peak hours.
• Basic knowledge of kitchen equipment operation and maintenance.
• Experience with recipe development, costing, and menu execution.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day kitchen operations during prep and service.
• Ensure all food is executed consistently to standards (taste, portion, presentation).
• Maintain speed and flow during high-volume service periods.
• Enforce cleanliness, organization, and food safety at all times.
• Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and coordinate repairs.
• Hire, train, and develop kitchen staff.
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable.
• Lead by example and work the line.
• Build a culture of urgency, discipline, and respect.
• Manage ordering, inventory, and par levels.
• Minimize waste and control food costs.
• Track usage and identify inefficiencies.
• Maintain strict adherence to health and safety regulations.
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, and labeling.
• Be prepared for inspections at any time.
• Assist in developing and refining menu items.
• Test and standardize recipes for consistency, speed, and scalability.
• Collaborate on seasonal items, specials, and improvements.

Skills

Kitchen management

High-volume ops

Team leadership

Food safety

Line work

Equipment maintenance

Recipe costing

Menu execution

Job description

Hot Gai Llc in San Francisco, 1001 MARKET is looking for one $70-80k kitchen manager to join our 20 person strong team. Our ideal candidate is attentive, motivated, and engaged.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations at GAI Chicken Rice. This is not a clipboard role. You will be on the line, setting the pace, enforcing standards, and making sure every plate meets our quality.

You are responsible for food consistency, team performance, cost control, and maintaining a clean, efficient kitchen that can handle high-volume service.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations

• Run day-to-day kitchen operations during prep and service
• Ensure all food is executed consistently to GAI standards (taste, portion, presentation)
• Maintain speed and flow during high-volume service periods
• Enforce cleanliness, organization, and food safety at all times
• Perform basic equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and coordinate repairs when needed

Team Leadership

• Hire, train, and develop kitchen staff
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable
• Lead by example and work the line, not just supervise it
• Build a culture of urgency, discipline, and respect

Food Quality and Consistency

• Execute and enforce standardized recipes and prep procedures
• Conduct daily quality checks on all products
• Quickly correct issues before they reach the customer

Inventory and Cost Control

• Manage ordering, inventory, and par levels
• Minimize waste and control food costs
• Track usage and identify inefficiencies

Food Safety and Compliance

• Maintain strict adherence to health and safety regulations
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, and labeling
• Be fully prepared for inspections at any time

Menu and Recipe Development

• Assist in developing and refining menu items aligned with GAI Chicken Rice concept
• Test and standardize recipes for consistency, speed, and scalability
• Optimize recipes for cost, efficiency, and minimal waste
• Collaborate on seasonal items, specials, and operational improvements

Requirements

• 2 to 5+ years kitchen management experience (QSR or fast casual preferred)
• Strong understanding of high-volume kitchen operations
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team
• Solid grasp of food safety and sanitation standards
• Comfortable working on the line during peak hours
• Basic knowledge of kitchen equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Experience with recipe development, costing, and menu execution
• Organized, detail-oriented, and highly accountable

What We’re Looking For

• Someone who takes ownership. No excuses, just solutions
• A leader who can build systems, not just react to problems
• High standards for food, cleanliness, and team performance
• Calm under pressure and fast on their feet
• Willing to be hands-on every day

Compensation and Growth

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance-based bonus incentives tied to cost control and operations
• Growth opportunities as we expand locations

Why GAI Chicken Rice

We are building a focused, high-quality concept around doing one thing extremely well. That only works if the kitchen is dialed in. You will play a key role in shaping how we operate and scale.