*Senior Kitchen Manager

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.

Newport News (VA)

On-site

USD 60,000 - 70,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Free meals

Employee discount program

Career growth opportunities

Team-based culture

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is seeking a Senior Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations, develop teams, and ensure food quality and safety. You will influence guest experience, manage inventory, and drive performance in a fast-paced environment.

You’ll coach staff, set priorities, uphold standards, and collaborate with front-of-house leaders to deliver seamless service while maintaining a positive, energetic culture. Five 10-hour shifts are required.

Qualifications

One year of full-service kitchen or GM-level experience in fast-casual environments.
At least one year leading, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.
Experience using kitchen systems and technology (KDS, scheduling, inventory management, ordering).

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff development

Food safety

Operations management

Problem solving

Tools

KDS

Scheduling systems

Inventory management

Efficient ordering

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

$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.

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