Kitchen Manager

Clear Destination Inc.; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Bonuses

Health insurance

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off

Job summary

Luna Grill in Santa Ana, CA is seeking a Kitchen Manager who leads from the line and coaches the BOH team daily. You will be cooking, training, and solving problems in real time, not from a desk, while maintaining Luna Grill’s high standards for speed, quality, and hospitality.

As a working leader, you’ll manage shifts, ensure food safety and labor efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across operations and catering support.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of restaurant or BOH experience in a fast-casual or quick-service environment.
• Management experience required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Food Handler / ServSafe certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and mentor BOH team members by working alongside them.
• Assign shifts, stations, and daily tasks to keep the kitchen moving.
• Coach performance, give real-time feedback, and support corrective actions.
• Foster a positive, safety-focused kitchen culture.
• Lead and participate in team meetings and training sessions.
• Jump into any station to maintain quality and speed during peak times.
• Ensure every plate meets Luna Grill standards, every time.
• Maintain sanitation and hygiene practices; complete audits and logs.
• Support catering orders, events, and operational planning.

Skills

BOH experience

Leadership

Bilingual EN/ES

Food safety knowledge

Line cooking

Education

ServSafe certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Dayforce

Sysco

Job description

Join Our Team as a Kitchen Manager

Opportunities in California, Texas & Arizona

Are you a hands-on leader who thrives in the heat of service? At Luna Grill, our Kitchen Managers don't just manage from behind a clipboard — they lead from the line, working shoulder-to-shoulder with their team to hit our standards for speed, quality, and hospitality, shift after shift. If you love the energy of a fast-paced kitchen and want to build a team you're proud of, this is your seat at the table.

This is a working leadership role in our fast-casual environment — you'll be cooking, coaching, and problem-solving in real time, not managing from the sidelines.

Why You'll Love Working at Luna Grill

• Competitive hourly rate + guaranteed overtime (50-hour workweek) (compensation varies by region and market)
• Plus: Quarterly performance bonuses
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) eligibility
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays & Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Career growth in a fast-growing, people-first brand
• A culture rooted in teamwork, respect, and hospitality

What You'll Do

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, train, and mentor BOH team members, including new hires — by working alongside them, not just observing
• Assign shifts, stations, and daily tasks to keep the kitchen moving
• Coach performance, give real-time feedback, and support corrective actions
• Foster a positive, professional, safety-focused kitchen culture
• Lead and participate in team meetings and training sessions

Operations & Food Excellence

• Jump into any station — grill, flattop, fryer, or line — to keep quality and speed on point during peak rushes
• Ensure every plate meets Luna Grill standards, every time
• Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices
• Complete required audits, logs, and operational checklists
• Support catering orders, special events, and operational planning

Inventory, Cost & Compliance

• Manage inventory, stock levels, and product rotation (FIFO)
• Control food and labor costs through smart planning and tight execution
• Monitor equipment condition and report maintenance needs
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, meal/rest breaks, and safety policies

What We're Looking For

• 3–5 years of restaurant or BOH experience in a fast-casual or quick-service environment; management experience required
• Comfort working the line daily alongside your team — this is not a desk-bound or banquet-style leadership role
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• High standards for food quality, cleanliness, and presentation
• Ability to multitask, problem-solve, and lead under pressure
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations
• Experience with systems like Microsoft Office, Dayforce, Sysco, or similar
• Food Handler / ServSafe certification required

Who We Are

We're Lunatics — devoted to maintaining high standards through culture, training, and teamwork. At Luna Grill, people are our #1 priority. We believe in growing leaders from within, leading by example, and creating REAL experiences for our guests and our teams.

Come grow with us — and help turn every meal into a moment worth remembering.

Luna Grill participates in E-Verify for all positions.

E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. E-Verify checks information provided on an employee’s Form I-9 electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases.

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.