Kitchen Manager

SSA Group, LLC•Buffalo, NY

7d•$25 - $27

About The Position

SSA Group at Buffalo Zoo is seeking a Kitchen Manager to oversee kitchen operations and support a warm, welcoming, memorable guest experience. The role ensures the back of house is prepared and staffed for daily operations, and that food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are met. The Kitchen Manager leads and develops kitchen associates, supports smooth service, maintains a clean and organized workplace, and communicates operational or quality issues to management. The position reports to the Food Service Operations Manager(s) and Executive Chef. It is a full-time, non-exempt position eligible for overtime.

Requirements

Three years of supervisory experience.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with the General Manager and personnel.
Proven leadership skills and an understanding of team building and development, including fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to stay organized.
Multitasking, detail-oriented, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
Team-oriented, personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic approach; initiative; and tact and diplomacy.
Computer knowledge and skills for basic office functions.
Physical ability to stand for extended periods and move and handle boxes weighing 10–35 pounds as needed, including lifting and performing the role’s functions.
Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Responsibilities

Deliver warm, welcoming, memorable experiences for guests and clients in keeping with 452 Hospitality.
Ensure the restaurant is properly prepared and staffed in the back of house for daily operations.
Oversee kitchen operations and ensure quick-service, food-service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest-service standards are met and exceeded.
Oversee safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste.
Ensure staff follow proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove-use practices.
Support SSAfety training in knife handling and ensure direct reports use knives and slicers properly.
Create daily preparation and item lists and delegate work as needed.
Support operations and fill staffing or workflow gaps to maintain smooth service.
Maintain checklists for routine and daily cleaning, ongoing projects, and menu planning.
Assign duties to associates and coach them on projects, daily tasks, and guest interactions.
Respond efficiently to guest and client feedback and report concerns to the Operations Manager to help prevent recurrence.
Train new employees and conduct performance reviews.
Manage and issue progressive performance documentation to coach and counsel employees, with oversight from the Operations Manager.
Report employee attendance and hours discrepancies to payroll, and oversee back-of-house break and rest-break management.
Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
Help the team complete daily tasks in a timely manner.
Communicate daily service or quality issues to the Regional Executive Chef and Food Service Operations Manager.
Work with restaurant supervisors to ensure locations operate to standard.
Supervise in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment and uphold company policies and procedures.
Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team and across units, remove barriers, and empower team members’ growth and opportunity.
Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, apply and share knowledge of those efforts with unit staff, and support community engagement and giving-back opportunities.
Perform other tasks as necessary.

Benefits

Paid time off plan of up to 144 hours based on tenure.
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus other voluntary benefits for employees and their families; employee premiums apply.
401(k) program with a 15% company match, subject to eligibility requirements.
Up to 120 hours of paid leave for qualifying reasons, including parental leave and serious medical conditions affecting the employee or their family.
Up to 40 hours of paid bereavement leave.
On-demand pay program providing access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
Meal plan and employee discounts where applicable.
Tuition discount through a partner college.
Holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
Overtime pay eligibility.