Kitchen Manager

Luna Grill • El Cajon, CA

12d • $65,000 - $77,000

About The Position

The Kitchen Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for running the back of house at a Luna Grill restaurant. Working alongside the team in a fast-paced, fast-casual kitchen, the manager cooks, coaches, and solves problems in real time to meet standards for speed, food quality, and hospitality. The role partners with the General Manager and develops team members, with potential career progression through Lead Cook, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, and beyond.

The Kitchen Manager leads and develops back-of-house staff, oversees daily kitchen operations and food safety, and manages inventory, costs, compliance, and equipment needs. The role also supports catering orders, special events, operational planning, and team training.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and mentor back-of-house team members, including new hires, while 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 such as grill, flattop, fryer, or line during peak periods to maintain quality and speed.
• Ensure food 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 food quality and safety, inventory, food costs, scheduling, and kitchen-team training.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate with 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed