Kitchen Manager - Dumpling Operations

Din Tai Fung; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant chain is seeking a Dumpling Manager for its Irvine location. In this pivotal role, you will lead back-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional culinary quality and performance within the team. With competitive pay and benefits, this position is ideal for culinary leaders eager to foster talent and uphold high standards in a dynamic dining environment.

Benefits

Competitive Pay & Benefits

Employer Contribution for medical insurance

Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

401(k) Plan with company match

Employee Meal Discounts

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Quarterly Wellness Days

Opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• 2+ years of kitchen or culinary leadership experience required.
• Strong hands-on culinary skills, especially in dough work and steaming.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily Dumpling and Steamer departments, driving team culture and quality.
• Ensures dumpling standards and conducts audits for compliance.
• Leads training and development of team members.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Organization

Job description

DIN TAI FUNG RESTAURANTS

LOCATION: 670 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618

SALARY RANGE FOR DUMPLING MANAGER : $99,500.00 - $124,300.00 annual base salary

The base salary or hourly wage range for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors. Range is not inclusive of potential bonus or benefits. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range and other factors during the hiring process.

BENEFITS FOR DUMPLING MANAGER:

• Competitive Pay & Benefits
• Employer Contribution for individuals and eligible dependents' medical insurance
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Plan with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts through BenefitHub
• Employee Meal Discounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO) to support work-life balance (accrued based on length of service)
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL) to care for your health or loved ones
• Quarterly Wellness Days - extra time off to recharge every season
• Opportunities for growth; we love promoting within!

JOB PURPOSE:
The Dumpling Manager serves as a key leader in back-of-house operations, overseeing the development, performance, and staffing of the Dumpling specialty. They are responsible for training team members and leads, driving consistency and quality, and partnering with management to support labor planning, team development, and operational excellence. Operating from a guest-facing show kitchen, they lead by example and uphold the brand’s standards of professionalism, cleanliness, and culinary excellence.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees the daily leadership of the Dumpling and Steamer departments, providing structure, guidance, and support to ensure a positive, high-performing team culture. Acts as a role model for professionalism and accountability in a guest-facing, show kitchen environment.
• Ensures all dumplings meet brand quality and presentation standards by conducting audits and reinforcing best practices. Drives consistency in execution by supporting training follow-through and standard operating procedure compliance. Maintains a polished, guest-ready appearance and demeanor appropriate for a show kitchen setting. Embodies the Din Tai Fung brand through exceptional leadership, hospitality, and operational excellence.
• Champions a clean, safe, and organized work environment by enforcing sanitation standards and maintaining health department compliance. Holds team members accountable for following safety protocols and proper food handling procedures.
• Leads the training and development of Dumpling Leads, Steamers, and Dumpling staff, ensuring team members are skilled, consistent, and aligned with brand standards. Implements coaching, cross-training, and growth plans to build internal talent pipelines.
• Partners with management to plan staffing levels, hiring needs, and break schedules in alignment with sales forecasts and labor goals. Helps determine labor allocations, team promotions, and succession planning across back-of-house roles
• Fosters a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment with open communication, daily pre-shift meetings, and regular check-ins. Encourages team ownership, problem-solving, and peer-to-peer support. Monitors individual and team performance, provides ongoing feedback, and conducts evaluations to drive continuous improvement. Collaborates with managers to recognize top performers and address underperformance through structured support.
• Works closely with restaurant leadership and the regional training team to align on department goals, training priorities, and operational improvements. Participates in weekly planning meetings to support overall restaurant success.

JOB REQUIREMENTS FOR DUMPLING MANAGER :

• 2+ years of kitchen or culinary leadership experience, ideally in high-volume or production environments.
• Strong hands-on culinary skills, especially in dough work, food prep, and steaming techniques.
• Proven ability in people leadership including training approaches, coaching, and provide performance feedback to team members.
• High standards of cleanliness, organization, and adherence to health regulations.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding kitchen tasks.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to operate large and/or complex machinery.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with dumpling production or Asian cuisine in a structured culinary environment.
• Previous experience in a training or lead role with cross-functional team coordination.
  Familiarity with show kitchen or open-concept kitchen environments requiring guest-facing professionalism.

Note:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor.

Din Tai Fung is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Fair Chance Initiative.

Din Tai Fung is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer – M/F/D/V. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As part of our hiring process, Din Tai Fung uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows employers to compare information from an employee's Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This verification confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. Din Tai Fung complies fully with all Equal Employment Opportunity laws, ensuring no discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status. Din Tai Fung is committed to employing only individuals who are authorized to work in the United States and who comply with applicable immigration and employment law. As a condition of employment, every individual must provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and legal authority to work in the United States. If the employee cannot verify their right to work in the United States within the time permitted by laws, the Company will be required to terminate their employment immediately. To learn more about E-Verify, please visit: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees.

Applicant must be 18 years of age or older and able to provide documentation to work in the United States legally.

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