Kitchen Manager – Upscale Café

Goodwin Recruiting; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Parental leave savings match

Opportunity for growth

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking a Kitchen Manager in Charleston, SC to lead back-of-house operations for an upscale café. You will manage a culinary team, uphold quality, and drive efficiency in a seasonally driven, in-house menu environment.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years of kitchen leadership, strong knife skills, and a hands-on approach to training and development in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years professional line cook or culinary experience.
• Previous kitchen management or leadership experience required.
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques and knife skills.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a high-volume kitchen.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Effective communication and team leadership skills.
• Familiarity with food safety, sanitation, and proper food-handling procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily back-of-house operations, ensuring food quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Work alongside line and prep cooks during busy service periods.
• Coach, train, and develop kitchen staff, fostering a positive and accountable culture.
• Oversee scheduling, staffing, and labor management for the kitchen team.
• Manage food ordering, inventory, prep levels, and product organization.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and presentation.
• Collaborate closely with restaurant leadership for smooth front and back-of-house operations.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Line cook experience

Knife skills

Food safety

Team leadership

Job description

Kitchen Manager – Charleston, SC

A growing, upscale café concept is seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead back-of-house operations and a talented culinary team. This seasonally driven café focuses on fresh, nourishing food made in-house with thoughtfully sourced ingredients, offering an exceptional experience for guests and employees alike. This role presents a great opportunity for a hands‑on culinary leader passionate about developing people and maintaining high standards in a dynamic environment.

Kitchen Manager Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive base salary of $55,000–$65,000
• Paid time off to support work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Optional accident, disability, and whole-life insurance
• Employer-matched retirement plan
• Parental leave savings match program
• Supportive, people-focused work environment
• Chance to grow with an expanding hospitality organization

Kitchen Manager Requirements & Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years professional line cook or culinary experience
• Previous kitchen management or leadership experience required
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques and knife skills
• Comfortable working hands‑on in a high-volume kitchen
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities
• Effective communication and team leadership skills
• Familiarity with food safety, sanitation, and proper food‑handling procedures
• Flexible availability including early mornings, afternoons, and weekends
• Physical ability to stand, move throughout shifts, and lift/carry up to 50 lbs as needed

Kitchen Manager Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities

• Lead daily back-of-house operations, ensuring food quality, consistency, and efficiency
• Work alongside line and prep cooks during busy service periods
• Coach, train, and develop kitchen staff, fostering a positive and accountable culture
• Oversee scheduling, staffing, and labor management for the kitchen team
• Manage food ordering, inventory, prep levels, and product organization
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and presentation
• Collaborate closely with restaurant leadership for smooth front and back-of-house operations

If you take pride in attention to detail, enjoy leading by example, and are committed to great food and team development, this is an ideal leadership opportunity in a quality-driven hospitality setting.