*Senior Kitchen Manager

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is seeking a Senior Kitchen Manager to lead the heart of our operation, oversee daily kitchen activities, and drive excellence in food quality and safety.

You will develop teams, manage costs, and partner with front-of-house leaders to ensure exceptional guest experiences and smooth service. This exempt management role focuses on people leadership and operational performance across the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of full-service kitchen experience or GM-level leadership in a fast-casual environment.
• Experience leading and coaching high-performing teams.
• Proficient with kitchen tech like KDS, scheduling, and inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth execution and a well‑prepared team.
• Set clear priorities through pre-shift communication and coaching.
• Maintain a safe, compliant, and productive kitchen environment.
• Support hiring, development, performance management, and career growth for team members.
• Collaborate with front-of-house leaders to deliver seamless service and guest recovery when needed.

Skills

Team Leadership

Food Safety

Guest Experience

Cost Control

Tools

KDS

Scheduling Software

Inventory Management System

Job description

Overview

Who Are At BJ’s Restaurants, we’ve been bringing people together to celebrate life’s moments since 1978. We’re more than a restaurant; we’re a team of passionate people who take pride in creating great food, memorable experiences, and a workplace where everyone feels valued. If you’re energized by teamwork, motivated to keep learning, and passionate about creating great experiences for others, you’ll feel right at home here.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior Kitchen Manager at BJ’s Restaurants, you'll lead the heart of our operation—building great teams, delivering exceptional food, and driving operational excellence. You'll oversee daily kitchen operations, including team development, food quality, safety, inventory, and execution, while creating an environment where team members can thrive.

As a member of the restaurant leadership team, you'll exercise independent judgment, make critical operational decisions, and play a key role in driving restaurant performance, team engagement, and guest satisfaction. This is an exempt management position focused on leading people, developing talent, and ensuring operational excellence across the kitchen.

Responsibilities

How You’ll Contribute

Kitchen Leadership

• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth execution and a well-prepared team.

• Set clear priorities through pre-shift communication, coaching, and team development.

• Maintain a safe, compliant, and well-functioning kitchen environment.

• Support hiring, development, performance management, and career growth for team members.

Food Quality & Safety

• Champion food safety, sanitation, and operational standards.

• Ensure every menu item is prepared with quality, consistency, and attention to detail.

• Oversee daily prep and production to deliver an exceptional guest experience.

Team & Guest Experience

• Train, coach, and develop kitchen teams to perform at their best.

• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with front-of-house leaders to deliver seamless service and support guest recovery when needed.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• At least one year of full-service kitchen experience or General Manager-level experience in a fast-casual environment.

• One year leading, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.

• Experience using kitchen systems and technology, including KDS, scheduling, inventory management, and effective ordering.

• A passion for creating exceptional guest experiences while fostering a positive, team-focused culture.

• Drives results through demonstrated success managing food costs, labor, safety standards, and operational performance.