Kitchen Manager

Applebee's; Village of Plover (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Applebee’s IHOP is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead back-of-house operations and manage hourly staff. You will ensure sanitation, food safety, inventory controls, and adherence to company standards. Strong emphasis on training, cost management, and guest-focused service.

You will supervise shift activities, coordinate with the GM, and implement corrective actions while maintaining a high-performance work environment. This role requires leadership, organization, and a passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of management experience in the restaurant, entertainment or hospitality industry.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Responsible alcohol service and food safety certifications as required.
• Kitchen Managers must have current alcohol and food certifications that meets state requirements.

Responsibilities

• The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the back of the house and all of its functions, directing the activities of back-of-house hourly associates to ensure cleanliness and sanitation, and implementing purchasing and cost controls.
• Performs administrative and accounting duties according to company policy.
• Maintains 100% table visitation goals and ensures guest complaints are addressed promptly with management.
• Maintains product preparation and presentation to meet company standards; enforces safety, security, and sanitation programs.
• Develops staff through training, performance feedback, orientation, and regular evaluations.
• Controls costs and assets; complies with laws and cash handling procedures; submits daily paperwork.
• Promotes teamwork, culture, and guest-driven service across shifts; coaches associates and conducts first interviews.
• Monitors and documents performance, applies progressive discipline when needed; ensures policy compliance.
• Completes all assigned duties and reports non-routine situations to GM.

Skills

Restaurant management

Staff coaching

Cost controls

Food safety

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Qualification Standard:

• 2-3 years of management experience in the restaurant, entertainment or hospitality industry
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Responsible alcohol service and food safety certifications as required.
• Kitchen Managers must have current alcohol and food certifications that meets state requirements.

Specific Functions and Duties:

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the back of the house

and all of its functions. This person

will direct the activities of back of the hourly associates ensuring

cleanliness and sanitation, implement purchasing and cost controls, and follow

up with corrective action where needed.

The Kitchen Manager will ensure that “made from scratch

food” is made to specification and will perform any administrative and

accounting duties according to company policy.

Other duties may be assigned as needed

Manages Restaurant Environment

• 1. Ensures prompt, friendly service according to company guidelines.
• 2. Directs overall activities and performance of associates on a shift by shift basis.
• 3. Breeds a culture using the Vision / Mission statement to guide Teamwork, Results, Integrity, Passion for Service, Fun, Balance, Innovation and being Guest Driven.
• 4. Ensures the immediate response and correction of all verbal guest complaints to self and staff. Refers all verbal and written guest complaints to AGM/GM.
• 5. Ensures guest contact as a priority with self, utilizing a target goal of 100% table visitation.
• 6. Enforces alcohol awareness on a shift to shift basis.
• 7. Maintains adequate departmental inventory levels.
• 8. Ensures product preparation and presentation uncompromisingly meeting company standards.
• 9. Effectively schedules associates to meet sales demands.
• 10. Maintains effective safety and security programs according to company policy and government standards.
• 11. Corrects unsafe practices or conditions.
• 12. Promotes and manages restaurant organization, cleanliness and sanitation.
• 13. Performs routine maintenance and immediately informs General Manager of needed repairs.
• 14. Advises GM of any non -routine situations.
• 15. Communicates with other managers daily through management log and shift change meetings.
• 16. Completes all other assigned duties and responsibilities.

Manages Associate Performance

• 1. Promotes quality recruitment and referrals of potential management candidates.
• 2. Promotes training procedures of team members.
• 3. Helps maintain a trained staff through effective use of employment orientation, individual training sessions, asssociate meetings and implementation of company policy.
• 4. Determines job assignments on a shift by shift basis.
• 5. Develops an environment of constant development of associates, including informal shift reviews and participates in the development of written evaluations every six months.
• 6. Assesses the effectiveness of associates, provides candid, fair feedback on a regular basis, and continuously works with associates on their areas of development.
• 7. Conducts thorough first interviews.
• 8. Demonstrates proper execution of training systems as outlined by the company while emphasizing the importance of training to associates.
• 9. Monitors acceptable associate performance and documents situations that require or could lead to disciplinary or corrective action. Monitors progressive discipline when appropriate.
• 10. Assures compliance with company policies, practices and procedures.
• 11. Acts as coach to all associates.

Maintain Controls.

• 1. Responsible to control cost in assigned department.
• 2. Maintains and controls the assets of the company.
• 3. Assures the compliance with the local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines.
• 4. Reports progress towards achieving restaurant performance objectives at management meetings.
• 5. Complies with all cash handling procedures.
• 6. Executes weekly food and liquor inventories/costs at the GM’s request and is accountable for completion.
• 7. Responsible for preparing and submitting of accurate daily paperwork to the GM.

Development

• 1. Is responsible to the AGM/GM for the development of team members.
• 2. Inspires cooperation and teamwork from associates by breeding a culture derived from our Culture/Mission / Vision.
• 3. Is guest obsessed and promotes the team to be.
• 4. Demonstrates organizational skills.
• 5. Completes all assignments and duties properly and on schedule.
• 6. Develops goals and action plans for personal/professional growth.
• 7. Provides a role model for managers and associates.
• 8. Exhibits a professional image.
• 9. Develops self on all store related technology. Evaluates self and constantly learns and grows learning all Applebees and company specific knowledge.

Physical Requirements:

• 2. Must be able to stand and exert a well-paced mobility for periods up to ten hours in length.
• 3. Must be able to speak clearly and listen attentively to guests and other staff members.
• 4. Transports and carries objects up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• 5. Must be able to work in a fast paced environment walking in a brisk manner exhibiting a high sense of urgency for 10 hours.
• 6. Delivering food and or drink to guests throughout the restaurant frequently carrying dishes and meals to and from the kitchen to our guests.
• 7. Able to operate blenders, frozen drink machines and other bar equipment.
• 8. Able to cook at times operating fryers, broilers, flat tops, and steamers.
• 9. Able to reach and grab products above shoulder frequently.
• 10. Ability to wipe down table tops, table legs, pick up debris off the floor and wipe down booth seats in all areas of the restaurant

Join the Team Behind a Groundbreaking Dining Experience!
We're bringing together two iconic brands—Applebee’s and IHOP—under one roof to create a one-of-a-kind restaurant concept. Guests can enjoy IHOP’s world-famous breakfast favorites and Applebee’s craveable casual dining and bar offerings, all in one convenient location. With two distinct dining areas, this innovative setup offers the best of both worlds in a single visit.
Be part of a team that’s redefining how people dine out. If you’re passionate about hospitality, love working in a dynamic environment, and want to be part of something truly unique, we’d love to meet you!