Prep Manager

The Easterly; Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Group plan access

Paid time off

Dining discounts

Job summary

The Easterly in St. Thomas is seeking a Prep Manager to lead morning prep, organize storage, and ensure consistent recipe execution. You will partner with the culinary team to set the tone for a structured, high-velocity kitchen.

Ideal candidates bring at least 1 year of related experience, strong knife skills, food safety knowledge, and a leadership mindset. English and Spanish fluency is a plus; we value hospitality, integrity, and growth.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of related experience required.
• General knife handling, food safety & sanitation knowledge.
• A passion for food, exceptional work ethics, and dedication.
• Attention to details of food quality and preparations.
• Flexible and adaptive to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high energy environment.
• Able to take constructive criticism, learn quickly, demonstrate leadership, and constantly improve.
• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the mission of Ballast Hospitality, always setting a professional example.
• English and Spanish fluency preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the morning prep load to prepare menu components according to Chef’s recipe and quality standards.
• Accurately receive, inspect, and organize vendor deliveries throughout the day to ensure inventory quality.
• Keep products accurately rotated and dated to prevent spoilage and minimize food waste.
• Oversee prep work across other cooks to ensure we are consistently following recipe specs, yields, and portioning guidelines to protect food costs and regularity.
• Prioritize prep work tasks based on forecasted sales, current inventory, and service demands.
• Knowledge of seasonal product trends, local ingredients, and vendor relations.
• Work alongside the line and culinary team to keep prep stations fully stocked, organized, and ready for high- volume service.

Skills

Knife handling

Food safety

Leadership

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Fast-paced environment

Bilingual English/Spanish

Job description

THE EASTERLY [ST. THOMAS] – PREP MANAGER

[Full-Time Qualification Required. Terms and Conditions Apply]

PERKS

• Group Health Insurance - 50/50 Employee/Employer Contribution
• Access to Group Plan(s) including health, dental, vision, life AD&D
• Paid Time Off / Unpaid time off / Paid Sick Days
• Dining discounts at home establishments & cross company locations.

THE ATMOSPHERE

The Easterly St. Thomas is a waterfront dining oasis offering innovative craft cocktails and wood-fired cuisine representative of the rustic Caribbean. The menu is ocean-to-table focused and utilizes locally grown produce and local flavors to complementthe dishes. The Easterly offers one of the Virgin Island’s most robust beverage programs with unique handcrafted cocktails, twists on Caribbean favorites, and an extensive list of craft beers & wine. Tucked away in an oasis of palm trees and rich greenery, the restaurant exudes a Bohemian-island vibe, and offers a social, vibrant and interactive dining experience.

THE IDEAL MATCH

Great food starts long before the restaurant opens, and at The Easterly, our Prep Manager serves as the essential backbone of our culinary foundation. As our Prep Manager, you are the ultimate tone-setter for our culinary team. Our ideal match will turn the lights on, tackle the daily prep list, verify incoming vendor deliveries, maintain organization in our storage areas, and keep our kitchen operations running smoothly. This person thrives in a structured environment, takes pride in an orderly kitchen, and brings a passion for team leadership and self-growth.

The Easterly brings a fresh, vibrant take on coastal Caribbean dining- where tropical, bohemian vibes meet elevated experiences. This concept is not just a restaurant - but a destination that blends music, sunshine, innovation, and top-tier hospitality into unforgettable moments. We’re laid-back but dialed-in. Professional but never stuffy. Every guest is welcomed like family—and we take that seriously.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage the morning prep load to prepare menu components according to Chef’s recipe and quality standards.
• Accurately receive, inspect, and organize vendor deliveries throughout the day to ensure inventory quality.
• Keep products accurately rotated and dated to prevent spoilage and minimize food waste.
• Oversee prep work across other cooks to ensure we are consistently following recipe specs, yields, and portioning guidelines to protect food costs and regularity.
• Prioritize prep work tasks based on forecasted sales, current inventory, and service demands.
• Knowledge of seasonal product trends, local ingredients, and vendor relations.
• Work alongside the line and culinary team to keep prep stations fully stocked, organized, and ready for high- volume service.
• Move with speed and precision without ever compromising on quality.
• Partner with kitchen leadership to maintain and follow precise recipe books, portion specs, and ingredient consistency.
• Monitor food safety and cleanliness standards to ensure a safe, compliant kitchen.
• Actively participate in scheduled deep cleaning routines for kitchen equipment, storage units, and prep areas to maintain top-tier kitchen standards.
• Keep the Chef and Manager on Duty in the loop on all things prep and kitchen related.
• Continuously take pride in what you do while remaining eager to expand your culinary techniques and growth alongside our team.
• Mentor with empathy and hospitality, building clear pathways for staff growth and promotion.
• Be a culture builder—bring positive energy, authenticity, reliability, and pride in how you show up every day.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• At least 1 year of related experience required.
• General knife handling, food safety & sanitation knowledge.
• A passion for food, exceptional work ethics, and dedication.
• Attention to details of food quality and preparations.
• Flexible and adaptive to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high energy environment.
• Able to take constructive criticism, learn quickly, demonstrate leadership, and constantly improve.
• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the mission of Ballast Hospitality, always setting a professional example.
• English and Spanish fluency preferred but not required.

OUR DNA

At our core, we live by values that shape every interaction, decision, and experience. We offer competitive pay and a culture that values growth. From day one, we’re committed to your personal and professional development through hands-on experience, ongoing training, and clear opportunities to advance. At Ballast Hospitality, when you grow, we grow.

• Integrity is everything. Without it, nothing else matters. We lead with honesty, accountability, and trust. Always doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.
• We invest in growth. Continuous training and development aren’t extras; they’re essential to our shared success. We see ongoing learning and development as an investment, not just in our team, but in our future.
• Creativity drives innovation.Innovation starts with imagination. We embrace fresh ideas and bold thinking to stay ahead and stand out.
• Happy teams serve better.A happy, supported, and professional team creates the kind of guest experience that sets us apart and empowers us to deliver exceptional experiences.
• We deliver legendary service.The kind of personalized care that turns moments into memories, experiences guests can’t forget, and rave about long after they leave.
• Work hard, stay sharp, and have fun.We bring passion and professionalism to everything we do while keeping it light, positive, and full of energy. Excellence and enjoyment go hand-in-hand.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER | COME AS YOU ARE

At The Easterly, we believe great hospitality starts with great people, and that means all people. We don’t care what you look like, where you’re from, who you love, or how you identify. If you have good energy and a passion for making people feel welcome, you’ve got a spot on our team. No judgment. No discrimination. Just good vibes and equal opportunity for all.

READY TO SET THE VIBE?

If you’re a passionate hospitality-driven leader with a creative eye and ready to help shape the experience at one of St. Thomas’s most exciting destinations- this is your moment.

Join Ballast Hospitality in creating standout dining experiences that celebrate sunshine, culture, and connection- one guest at a time. We look forward to meeting you!