Kitchen Manager Trainee

99 Ranch Market; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match

Employee Discount

Job summary

A leading Asian supermarket chain in Tustin is looking for a Kitchen Manager Trainee to join their Management Trainee Program. This full-time position involves hands-on leadership development, with responsibilities including managing department operations, maintaining product standards, and employee management. Candidates must be flexible with schedules and able to lift 25+ lbs. Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k) matching, and employee discounts. Training location is at 15333 Culver Dr. in Irvine, CA. Pay ranges from $19 to $25 per hour during training.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work in a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Capable of traveling between stores for training.
• Previous experience in related fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operation of department and meet company standards.
• Maintain product display and ensure freshness.
• Provide schedules to department employees and manage attendance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual English, Chinese, or Spanish

Ability to lift 25+ lbs

Technical reading comprehension

Tools

Microsoft Office

Inventory management programs

IT retail or SAP

Job description

Overview

Kitchen Manager Trainee

About 99 Ranch Market: 99 Ranch Market is one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in the United States. We have store locations in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey and more to come. We are passionate and honored to be shaping the Asian Supermarket culture within the grocery industry. As 99 Ranch Market expands, we have new positions open. We welcome new members to grow alongside with the family.

About the Opportunity

The Management Trainee (MT) Program is a structured, hands-on leadership development program designed for individuals who want to build a long-term career in retail and operations leadership.

Through real operational experience, mentorship, and guided training, you’ll gain exposure to multiple areas of the business while developing the skills needed to lead teams, support store operations, and drive results. You’ll receive ongoing coaching and support throughout the program—you are not expected to know everything on day one.

Why Join the MT Program

• Executive and senior leadership mentorship.
• Job rotations across stores, Headquarters (HQ), Central Processing Units (CPU), and Distribution Centers (DC).
• Hands-on operational experience with structured guidance.
• Ongoing internal training and external retail learning opportunities, including flagship store visits.
• A clear path to broader leadership and management roles as the business grows.

What the Training looks Like

• Introduction to company culture, values, and leadership expectations.
• Product, department, and business-area rotations throughout the program.
• Department-level skill development with readiness and progress assessments.
• On-the-job learning supported by coaching, feedback, and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• The trainee will undergo training and evaluations for 6 to 8 months. After the training period, qualified candidates will be directly assigned to a store and be responsible for the corresponding department SOP, product knowledge, planning, ordering, organization, employee management and all other supervisory duties.
• Manage the department's daily operation and meet the company standards.
• Work with the store management team to design store promotion plans and meet sales targets.
• Maintain product display, ensure freshness, and keep shelves fully-stocked.
• Order products based on on-hand inventory, promotion events, and delivery schedule.
• Receive poultry shipments and examine the quantity and quality.
• Control inventory movement (FIFO), including rotating product display, organizing freezer and cooler and directing physical inventory count.
• Familiar with local vendors and popular local products.
• Use label updating and price sign printing computer programs efficiently.
• Provide schedules to department employees and manage attendance.
• Work on Human Capital Management, including coaching, operational training, mentoring, and performance review.
• Maintain a safe and clean workplace.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in related fields.
• Work in an environment with varying temperature and use equipment.
• Require lifting 25+ lbs objects and long periods of standing.
• Must be able to work at a flexible schedule (night, weekends & holidays) and relocate if necessary.
• Must be able to travel between different stores for training purposes.
• Capable of reading, analyzing, interpreting technical procedures and training materials.
• Able to speak, write, present, commute, and respond to information and questions.
• Great interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, mass and volume.
• Familiar with inventory management programs, Microsoft Office, IT retail, or SAP are highly preferred.
• Commit to company values and customer services.
• Bilingual English, Chinese, and Spanish is highly preferred.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• At least 18 years old.

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life Insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with up to 4% Company Match.
• Long-Term Service Award.
• Paid Time Off.
• Employee Discount.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Full Time.
• Work Location: 15333 Culver Dr. #800 Irvine, CA 92604
• Training Location: 15333 Culver Dr. #800 Irvine, CA 92604

Working Conditions

• This job is performed in an environment that may have exposure to heat, noise, and other environmental factors.

Shift Information

• Weekend & Holiday required.
• 1 day off per week (day off is not fixed, follow trainer's schedule).
• 40-45 hours per week.
• 6 days a week.
• Overtime as needed.

Compensation

• The pay range for this job starts at $19 - $25 per hour during training period. After the employee passed the final assessment, they will be promoted from hourly employee to exempt employee. This is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) the responsibilities of the job, your education, skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Disclaimer

Our goal is to be a recognized leader in the industry while providing a great workplace for employees. Please note the job descriptions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the positions. They do not cover all the details of skills, duties, or responsibilities required for the position. Thus, they are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all skills, duties, and responsibilities required for personnel. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as instructed by management. Skills, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. We are an E.E.O. employer.