*Senior Kitchen Manager

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Free and discounted meals

Career growth and advancement opportun

Employee discount program

Collaborative culture built on team...

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is seeking a Senior Kitchen Manager to lead the heart of our operation, building strong teams and delivering exceptional food while driving operational excellence.

You will oversee daily kitchen operations, set priorities, ensure safety and quality, and partner with front-of-house leaders to deliver seamless service and guest recovery when needed. The role requires 50-hour weeks, flexible scheduling, and a focus on developing talent.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of full-service kitchen experience or GM-level experience in fast-casual.
• Experience leading, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.
• Experience with kitchen systems and technology (KDS, scheduling, inventory, ordering).
• Passion for exceptional guest experiences and positive team culture.
• Proven track record of managing food costs, labor, safety standards, and operational performance.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays; 50-hour work week.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations and ensure smooth execution by 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.
• Oversee daily prep and production to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Partner with front-of-house leaders to deliver seamless service and guest recovery when needed.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team development

Food safety

Cost control

Problem solving

Flexible schedule

Tools

KDS

Scheduling software

Inventory software

Ordering systems

Job description

Overview

Who We 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.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with strong problem-solving skills and decision making.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards, with a track record of high health inspection scores.
• Passionate leader who thrives on quality and building strong, effective teams.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with a minimum 50-hour work week consisting of five 10-hour shifts.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $75,000 plus bonus eligibility.

This pay range reflects the anticipated compensation for this role. Final salary will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, relevant experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Benefits that matter… Live your best life!

• Comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, parental leave, disability coverage, and similar programs
• Free and discounted meals
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Employee discount program and additional lifestyle perks
• A collaborative culture built on teamwork, service, and celebrating wins

Come celebrate your career with us one Pizza, Pour and Pizookie at a time!

BJ’s Restaurants is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer.

Pay Range

USD $65,000.00 - USD $75,000.00 /Yr.