Kitchen Manager

Talkin' Tacos; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

Shift meals & discounts

Career path & leadership development

High-energy restaurant culture

Learning culture & accountability

Paid time off

Performance-based bonuses

Paid weekly

Job summary

Talkin' Tacos is seeking a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead the kitchen, coach culinary teams, and maintain top food quality and safety. You will drive daily operations, cost controls, and a culture of learning in a fast-paced setting.

We prize strong leadership, exceptional standards, and a proactive approach to hiring and training. This role offers growth within a high-energy restaurant family.

Qualifications

• Experience leading kitchen teams in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Passion for food, people development, and high standards.
• Ability to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and direct the kitchen team to execute with speed, quality, and consistency.
• Ensure all food is prepared to Talkin' Tacos standards with bold flavor and no shortcuts.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, fire, and food handling regulations at all levels.
• Oversee kitchen policies and procedures during assigned shifts.
• Step in on the line and perform all kitchen positions as needed.
• Ensure proper storage, temperatures, recipes, portions, and ingredients.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

People development

Food safety

Budgeting

Hiring

Job description

Kitchen Manager

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!

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Shift Meals & Discounts
• Clear career path and leadership development
• A high-energy, growth-minded restaurant culture
• A team that values learning, accountability, and fun
• Paid Time Off
• Performance Based Bonuses
• Paid Weekly

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 shifts
• Step 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 product counts; participate in 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