Kitchen Manager

Talkin' Tacos; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Talkin’ Tacos in Massachusetts is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead the heart of our operation. You’ll coach and develop the culinary team, oversee daily kitchen operations, protect food quality and safety, and drive a profitable, high-performing restaurant.

This hands-on leader role emphasizes culture, growth, and high standards in a fast-paced environment. You’ll step in on the line when needed, manage labor costs, ensure compliance with health and safety rules, and mentor future leaders.

Qualifications

• Hands-on leader who coaches and develops culinary team.
• Oversees daily kitchen operations and ensures food quality.
• Protects food safety and compliance with health regulations.
• Drives profitability and high performance in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and direct the kitchen team to execute with speed, quality, and consistency.
• Ensure all food is prepared to Talkin’ Tacos standards—bold flavor, zero shortcuts.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, fire, and food handling regulations.
• Support hiring by interviewing candidates and making thoughtful hiring recommendations.
• Drive daily prep sheets, yield sheets, and monthly inventory.
• Manage labor costs to meet budgeted goals while maintaining morale.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Staff development

Inventory management

Food safety

Hiring interviews

Job description

Our Kitchen Manager is a key ingredient in keeping the flavor strong and the operation running smooth. This role leads the heart of our restaurant—the kitchen!

The ideal Kitchen Manager is a hands-on leader who brings confidence, consistency, and hustle to the back of house. You’ll coach and develop the culinary team, oversee daily kitchen operations, protect food quality and safety, and help drive a profitable, high-performing restaurant.

At Talkin’ Tacos, leadership isn’t just about running shifts—it’s about building culture, growing people, and raising the bar.

As part of our management team, you’ll step into a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a clear path for growth. We’re serious about great food, strong teams, and a culture of continuous learning—no bland leadership, no dead ends.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING HERE!

• Clear career path and leadership development
• A high-energy, growth-minded restaurant culture
• A team that values learning, accountability, and fun

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR!

• A leader who leads from the front and earns respect through action
• Strong operational and organizational skills
• A passion for food, people development, and high standards
• The ability to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced environment

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead, coach, and direct the kitchen team to execute with speed, quality, and consistency
• Ensure all food is prepared to Talkin’ Tacos standards—bold flavor, zero shortcuts
• Maintain full compliance with health, safety, fire, and food handling regulations at all levels (local, state, and federal)
• Execute and uphold kitchen and restaurant policies and procedures during assigned shiftsStep in on the line when needed and confidently perform all kitchen positions
• Ensure proper food storage, accurate temperatures, and up-to-date recipe books, portions, and ingredients
• Drive accurate daily prep sheets, yield sheets, and conduct monthly inventory
• Anticipate, identify, and solve issues related to inventory, systems, staffing, and execution
• Manage labor costs to meet budgeted goals while protecting food quality and team morale
• Oversee training and development of kitchen team members to build bench strength and future leaders
• Support hiring by interviewing candidates and making thoughtful hiring recommendations