Kitchen Manager

Luna Grill • El Cajon, CA

8d

About The Position

The Kitchen Manager is a hands-on back-of-house leader at a Luna Grill restaurant. Working alongside the kitchen team, the manager helps deliver standards for speed, food quality, and hospitality in a fast-paced, fast-casual environment. The role includes cooking, coaching, and solving problems on the line, as well as leading and developing team members and managing back-of-house operations. The Kitchen Manager partners with the General Manager and may grow into roles such as Assistant General Manager or General Manager.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of restaurant or back-of-house experience in a fast-casual or quick-service environment.
• Management experience required.
• Comfort working on the line daily alongside the team; this is not a desk-bound or banquet-style leadership role.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• High standards for food quality, cleanliness, and presentation.
• Ability to multitask, problem-solve, and lead under pressure.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.
• Experience with systems such as Microsoft Office, Dayforce, Sysco, or similar.
• Food Handler or ServSafe certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and mentor back-of-house team members, including new hires, by working alongside them.
• Assign shifts, stations, and daily tasks to keep kitchen operations moving.
• Coach performance, provide real-time feedback, and support corrective actions.
• Foster a positive, professional, safety-focused kitchen culture.
• Lead and participate in team meetings and training sessions.
• Work at kitchen stations, including grill, flattop, fryer, or line, to maintain food quality and speed during peak periods.
• Ensure each plate meets Luna Grill standards.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices.
• Complete required audits, logs, and operational checklists.
• Support catering orders, special events, and operational planning.
• Manage inventory, stock levels, and product rotation using FIFO.
• Control food and labor costs through planning and execution.
• Monitor equipment condition and report maintenance needs.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, meal and rest breaks, and safety policies.
• Own back-of-house operations, including food quality and safety, inventory, food cost, scheduling, and training the kitchen team to prepare Luna Grill recipes consistently.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate and guaranteed overtime for a 50-hour workweek; compensation varies by region and market.
• Quarterly performance bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) eligibility.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and sick leave.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Career growth opportunities in a fast-growing brand.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed