Kitchen Manager I

Din Tai Fung North America; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical insurance

Dental, Vision, Life

HSA

401(k) with company match

PTO

Paid sick leave

Wellness days

Growth opportunities

Employee meal discounts

Job summary

Din Tai Fung North America is seeking a Kitchen Manager I to oversee Prep and Sanitation, ensuring high standards for product quality, food safety, and kitchen cleanliness. You will work with the Kitchen Manager II to maintain guest satisfaction and brand excellence across kitchen operations.

The role requires strong culinary experience, leadership skills, and the ability to manage inventory, schedules, and sanitation compliance, with opportunities for growth within the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years culinary experience in casual or upscale casual dining.
• 1+ years of supervisory/leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understand of inventory and ordering processes.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift 20+ lbs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Prep and Sanitation, ensuring brand standards and food safety.
• Coach prep and sanitation teams on cleanliness expectations and safety protocols.
• Manage daily prep tasks and inventory, coordinate ordering as needed.
• Ensure EcoSure and health department compliance and logs.
• Participate in interviews for non-exempt kitchen roles and assist onboarding.
• Assist in planning labor and production schedules based on forecasted sales.
• Support COGS initiatives through yield optimization and waste reduction.
• Maintain kitchen facilities cleanliness and equipment care.

Skills

Culinary experience

Leadership

Inventory management

Physical stamina

Heavy lifting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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.

LOCATION:

ENTER LOCATION

SALARY RANGE FOR KITCHEN MANAGER I:

$72,950.00 - $97,600.00 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 And Perks

• 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 Kitchen Manager I is responsible for overseeing Prep and Sanitation operations, ensuring quality food production, proper food handling, safety standards, and kitchen cleanliness. The Kitchen Manager I partners with the Kitchen Manager II to ensure back-of-house operations meet or exceed brand standards and guest expectations.

Job Responsibilities

• Teach and coach Prep and Sanitation teams on brand standards, food safety protocols, and cleanliness expectations. Communicate prep priorities and production changes daily, ensuring seamless transitions between shifts. Collaborate with the Kitchen Manager II to ensure alignment across kitchen operations.
• Manage daily prep tasks, ensuring accurate production according to PAR sheets and operational needs. Validate inventory levels for prep ingredients and sanitation supplies; coordinate ordering as needed. Ensure EcoSure and health department protocols are followed, managing sanitation checklists and food rotation logs.
• Validate Prep and Sanitation schedules, ensuring proper coverage for production and dish needs. Support the coaching and development of Prep and Sanitation teams, documenting performance and partnering with the AEKM on development plans and corrective actions.
• Participate in interviews for non-exempt line positions (Prep, Sanitation). Assist in the onboarding and training of new kitchen team members, focusing on culinary execution and operational excellence.
• Assist the AEKM in planning labor and production schedules based on forecasted sales. Support implementation of COGS initiatives through accurate prep yield, waste reduction, and portioning.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety standards, including proper storage, labeling, and sanitation practices. Support execution and follow-up on EcoSure Action Plans, health department inspections, and internal audits. Maintain cleanliness and functionality of kitchen facilities, including managing dish and sanitation equipment use and care

Job Requirements For Kitchen Manager

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years culinary experience in casual or upscale casual dining
• 1+ years of culinary lead or supervisory experience preferred
• High level understanding of inventory and ordering processes
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 20+ lbs
• Comfortable with being exposed to hot and cold temperatures.

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.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

Din Tai Fung North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state/provincial, and local laws.

U.S. Employment Eligibility

In the United States, Din Tai Fung North America participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization for all new hires. To learn more, please visit: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees.