*Senior Kitchen Manager

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is seeking a Senior Kitchen Manager in Oxnard, CA to lead daily kitchen operations, develop teams, and ensure exceptional food quality and guest satisfaction.

You will drive safety, inventory control, and cost efficiency while mentoring staff and coordinating with front-of-house leadership to deliver seamless service. The role focuses on people leadership, talent development, and achieving operational excellence across the kitchen, with a strong emphasis on guest

Qualifications

• At least one year of full-service kitchen experience or GM-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.
• Passion for creating exceptional guest experiences while fostering a positive, team-focused culture.

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.
• 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

Kitchen leadership

Team coaching

Food safety

Cost control

Tools

KDS

Scheduling

Inventory management

Ordering

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.