*Senior Kitchen Manager

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Employee discount program

Career growth opportunities

Team collaboration culture

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants in Columbia, MD is seeking a Senior Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations, build strong teams, and drive operational excellence. You will oversee food quality and safety, manage inventory and costs, and collaborate with front-of-house leaders to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

This exempt management role requires scheduling flexibility and a commitment to high standards. Join us in a collaborative culture that values teamwork, growth, and guest satisfaction

Qualifications

• At least one year of full-service kitchen experience or GM-level fast-casual experience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate teams.
• Experience with kitchen systems and tech (KDS, inventory, scheduling).

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations and develop the team.
• Set priorities via pre-shift communication and coaching.
• Maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient kitchen.
• Support hiring and career growth for team members.
• Champion food safety, quality, and consistency.
• Oversee prep/production to deliver guest excellence.
• Train and develop kitchen staff; foster teamwork.
• Partner with FOH to ensure seamless service and guest recovery.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team development

Safety & compliance

Operations management

Scheduling & inventory

Hiring & development

Problem-solving

Flexibility

Tools

KDS

Inventory management software

Scheduling software

Ordering systems

Job description

Overview

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.

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

$60,000 - $70,000 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 m
• eals
• 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 $60,000.00 - USD $70,000.00 /Yr.