Lead Kitchen Manager: Fast-Paced, Growth-Focused Ops

Talkin' Tacos; Forsyth (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Talkin’ Tacos is seeking a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen operations with confidence and hustle. You’ll coach the culinary team, oversee daily activities, protect food quality and safety, and drive a profitable, high-performing restaurant.

As part of the management team, you’ll build culture, develop people, and raise the bar in a fast-paced, growth-oriented setting. Talkin’ Tacos values learning, accountability, and fun, with clear paths for advancement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading kitchen teams in a fast-paced restaurant.
• Strong organizational and operational skills.
• Passion for food, people development, and high standards.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 conduct 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.

Skills

Leadership

Operations Management

Team Development

Food Safety

Tools

POS systems

Inventory software

Job description

Talkin’ Tacos is seeking a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen operations with confidence and hustle. You’ll coach the culinary team, oversee daily activities, protect food quality and safety, and drive a profitable, high-performing restaurant.

As part of the management team, you’ll build culture, develop people, and raise the bar in a fast-paced, growth-oriented setting. Talkin’ Tacos values learning, accountability, and fun, with clear paths for advancement.