Kitchen Manager - Dana Point

Mothers Market•Dana Point, CA

21h•$22 - $28

About The Position

The Kitchen Manager at Mother’s Market is responsible for overseeing daily kitchen operations while ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. This role leads kitchen team members, supports production planning, and ensures all prepared foods align with Mother’s Market recipes, wellness standards, and operational expectations. The Kitchen Manager serves as a leader and role model, creating a positive, organized, and efficient kitchen environment. The kitchen manager is responsible for producing consistent, visually appealing, and delicious prepared foods that meet standards for freshness, quality and presentation.

Requirements

Previous kitchen or food service management experience required
2+ year’s experience as a line cook or chef in high-volume kitchen, hot bar, or catering/buffet environment, culinary education is a plus
Strong knowledge of sauce-making fundamentals (stocks, reductions, emulsions, gravies, plant-based sauces, etc.)
Ability to execute batch cooking while maintaining high culinary standards
Understanding of seasoning, flavor balance, and presentation
Experience with scratch cooking and fresh ingredients preferred
Knowledge of food safety regulations and safe food-handling practices
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
Flexible availability, including weekends, evenings, and holidays

Nice To Haves

Positive, hands-on leadership style
Passion for healthy food, wellness, and high-quality prepared foods and hospitality
Speed with precision and consistency
Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented and production minded
Creative but disciplined with recipes and systems
Calm and effective in a fast-paced kitchen environment
Team-focused with strong problem-solving skills
Ability to maintain full, fresh visually appealing hot bar at all service times
Ability to create signature sauces and dishes that drive repeat customers
Ability to execute consistently and have minimal waste
Ability to maintain clean organized kitchen and have strong food safety standards

Responsibilities

Oversee daily kitchen and prepared foods operations
Lead, train, coach, and schedule kitchen team members
Ensure all food is prepared according to company recipes, standards, and quality expectations
Maintain strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations
Monitor food production levels to meet sales demand and minimize waste
Manage inventory, ordering, and cost control for kitchen supplies and ingredients
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment at all times
Collaborate with store leadership to support overall store operations
Prepare a variety of hot bar ready dishes including proteins, vegetables, grains, and composed entrées
Create and execute scratch-made sauces, gravy’s, broths, and dressings to elevate hot bar offerings
Follow recipes and production plans while maintaining consistent flavor, quality, and portioning
Set up, maintain, and refresh hot bar items to ensure peak presentation and food safety
Monitor food quality, temperature, and freshness throughout service
Collaborate with kitchen staff on menu development, seasonal specials, and daily features
Follow all company policies, safety procedures, and food-handling standards
Promote Mother’s Market values, including wellness, sustainability, and community