Culinary Experience Manager
About The Position
As a Culinary Experience Manager (CEM) at Impact Kitchen, you are the culinary leader in the restaurant. You set the tone for excellence through high food standards, a hands-on approach, and a deep passion for delivering a consistent and elevated guest experience. You lead your team by example — actively participating in prep, cooking, and expo — and ensure that every dish served meets our standards for quality, execution, and consistency. You are fully accountable for all aspects of kitchen operations, including food quality, team leadership, cost control, and cleanliness. In collaboration with your Guest Experience counterparts, you help deliver a seamless and memorable experience for every guest. The natural progression from this role is to Restaurant General Manager .
Requirements
- Culinary degree or equivalent experience (Red Seal preferred)
- Minimum 3 years progressive kitchen leadership experience
- Strong understanding of food and labour cost control in a high-volume kitchen
- Comprehensive knowledge of food production, sanitation, and kitchen safety regulations
- Proven leadership, coaching, and organizational skills
- Ability to maintain and train on consistency, quality, and presentation standards
- Experience developing and leading teams with a focus on accountability and growth
- Flexible schedule including availability for weekends and holidays; open to working extended hours as needed
- Ability to lift over 20 lbs and remain on your feet during long shifts
Nice To Haves
- Commissary or multi-location experience is considered an asset
Responsibilities
- Lead all daily kitchen operations including food production, prep, service, and sanitation
- Lead by example in all areas of kitchen execution - including prepping, cooking, and expo - to set the standard for quality, speed, and professionalism
- Ensure all food served consistently meets Impact Kitchen’s quality, presentation, and taste standards
- Maintain full compliance with federal, state, and municipal health and safety regulations
- Schedule kitchen personnel in alignment with business forecasts and labour budgets
- Use Impact Kitchen’s tech platforms to monitor performance and drive efficient kitchen operations
- Recruit, train, and develop top kitchen talent with clear expectations and structured feedback
- Lead team development using Impact Academy (LMS), and guide employees through career planning and evaluations
- Foster a strong, motivated, and inclusive team culture focused on continuous improvement
- Monitor and control key performance indicators including food cost, labour, and waste
- Participate in quarterly Restaurant Performance Presentations with senior leadership
- Collaborate with senior management and the culinary team on recipe development, seasonal updates, and execution of new menu items
Benefits
- Meal stipend
- Substantial staff discount on Impact Kitchen products
- Eligibility for health and dental benefits
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Flexible scheduling to support a balanced lifestyle
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
