Culinary Director

Kizuki Ramen • Redmond, WA

126d • $110,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya is a locally owned Japanese-style ramen restaurant committed to authenticity and excellence. With over 15+ locations across four states, we are passionate about fostering growth for both our team and our business. In this role, you’ll oversee culinary operations and strategy across all our restaurant concepts, ensuring excellence in food quality, consistency, and operational efficiency. You will lead and inspire back-of-house teams, driving menu innovation, managing costs, and fostering a collaborative kitchen culture. Your leadership will help deliver exceptional guest experiences and elevate our brand. This position will report to the Director of Operations and the CEO.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of culinary experience, including 3 years in a leadership role.
• High school diploma or GED required; a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management is preferred.
• Bilingual skills are not mandatory but would be a strong asset for communicating with diverse teams and vendors.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to coach teams and interact with guests.
• Experience managing food costs, labor budgets, and financial reports.
• Ability to travel between locations and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in kitchen environments with temperature extremes.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and elevate culinary standards across all locations, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Lead the development and implementation of new menu items and seasonal offerings.
• Support and coach chefs and kitchen managers to build skilled and motivated back-of-house teams.
• Manage food costs, labor costs, and budgets to meet financial targets.
• Collaborate with procurement teams to source high-quality ingredients while controlling expenses.
• Oversee kitchen operations, including workflows, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance.
• Conduct regular audits of food quality, kitchen cleanliness, and adherence to health regulations.
• Organize and deliver training sessions for kitchen staff on preparation methods, safety standards, and operational best practices.
• Resolve operational challenges, including team training gaps, guest complaints, and inventory issues.
• Act as a brand ambassador by supporting marketing efforts and representing the company at events.
• Assist in creating and maintaining relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistant Program, Teladoc
• Paid time off, Paid holidays
• Flexible working hours

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED