Kitchen Manager - Puyallup

TRAPPERS SUSHI INC PUYALLUP•PUYALLUP, WA

2d•$32 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

We're looking for a Kitchen Manager who is organized, hands-on, and people-focused. This role involves leading from the line, setting standards for food quality and cleanliness, coaching the team in real time, and ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly in a high-volume restaurant environment. The Kitchen Manager balances quality, ticket times, food safety, inventory, and labor while focusing on their people. This role partners with the General Manager and front-of-house leaders, holds the team to clear expectations, and makes sound decisions under pressure. The ideal candidate enjoys developing cooks, solving problems, and building a kitchen team that takes pride in its work. This is a leadership role with opportunities for career growth and potential restaurant ownership.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in a high-volume restaurant kitchen, including experience training or leading others.
Strong knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, inventory control, and kitchen operations.
Ability to stay organized, make sound decisions during busy service, and address problems promptly.
Clear communication skills and the ability to coach team members with consistency and respect.
Experience using scheduling, timekeeping, and inventory systems (Toast and 7shifts experience a plus).
Washington State Food Worker Card required, or must be obtained within 14 days of beginning work.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Food Protection Manager certification (such as ServSafe Manager) preferred; must be obtained after hire if not already held.

Responsibilities

Lead kitchen preparation and service to meet Trapper's standards for quality, presentation, portioning, and ticket times.
Assign stations and priorities, monitor the flow of orders, and adjust staffing or tasks as business needs change.
Ensure recipes, prep procedures, labeling, storage, and product rotation are followed consistently.
Address food quality concerns promptly and work with the General Manager to resolve guest issues.
Maintain a clean, organized kitchen that meets company standards and health department requirements, and complete required kitchen checks and logs accurately.
Train and monitor team members on safe food handling, temperature controls, sanitation, allergen procedures, and cross-contamination prevention.
Keep equipment in safe working condition and report repair or maintenance needs promptly.
Train, coach, and support kitchen team members, setting clear expectations for attendance, performance, teamwork, and conduct.
Provide timely feedback and document performance or conduct concerns in partnership with the General Manager and Human Resources.
Help identify staffing and training needs and participate in hiring and onboarding.
Monitor inventory, place or assist with orders, and verify deliveries for quality and accuracy.
Reduce waste through proper forecasting, preparation, storage, and rotation, and communicate shortage and spoilage trends to the General Manager.
Support labor planning and scheduling while following company timekeeping and break procedures.
Create a respectful workplace where team members feel comfortable raising concerns and receiving direction.
Uphold Trapper's Sushi's TRAPCHK core values: Teamwork, Respect, Accountability, Passion, Communication, Honesty, and Kindness.
Perform other related duties and support business needs as assigned.

Benefits

Compensation: $32.00 - $34.00 per hour.
Eligible for the Semiannual Management Bonus Plan.
Medical insurance: coverage begins the first of the month following two consecutive months of full-time employment. Trapper's covers 80% of the premium for employee-only coverage on the PPO 1000 plan.
Paid vacation starting at two weeks per year and increasing with tenure up to four weeks.
DailyPay access.
401(k) retirement plan, eligible after one year of continuous employment.
Voluntary dental and vision coverage.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Paid sick leave in accordance with Washington state and local laws.
A complimentary meal while on shift, plus a 25% dining discount off duty that extends to your immediate family.
Food Protection Manager certification provided and paid for by Trapper's.
Leadership development and advancement opportunities.
A pathway to become a Managing Partner and pursue restaurant ownership through our ownership program.
A supportive, collaborative, and people-first culture where your contributions matter.