Kitchen Managers are responsible for all kitchen or back-of-house restaurant operations. They also streamline kitchen procedures, from inventory to food preparation.
Like a General Manager to a hotel, Kitchen Managers ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently and effectively, all while following the highest food quality, sanitation and safety standards.
Our Kitchen Manager job description template below gives an overview of the usual responsibilities, skills and qualifications required. Feel free to use it for your own job posting.
We at [Restaurant Name] are looking for a Kitchen Manager with supervisory experience in a high-volume kitchen to lead our daily operations.
You will also be responsible for guiding our kitchen staff to ensure a first-class culinary experience.
Salary: $60,000–$68,000
Required experience: Minimum of four years of kitchen experience, with two years in a supervisory role
Required education: A degree or diploma from a culinary school, or a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Employee discounts
- Free shift meals
- Employee assistance programs
- Career growth opportunities
- Flexible spending accounts
- Member incentives and performance-based bonuses
Responsibilities:
- Ensure collaboration between kitchen and front-of-house operation and restaurant management
- Lead kitchen team member hiring and training
- Manage kitchen staff, including scheduling, task delegation and performance evaluation
- Prepare monthly cost reports and maintain kitchen inventory
- Implement and enforce kitchen procedures and policies that uphold health and safety regulations
- Monitor the quality of all food orders and observe food preparation best practices
Skills & Requirements:
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Proficiency in kitchen equipment operation and troubleshooting
- Understanding of food prep operations, inventory management and ordering processes
- A passion for assembling and training the best kitchen team
- General knowledge of health codes and safety regulations
Kitchen Manager Responsibilities/Duties
Keep in mind that depending on your establishment, the work scope of a Kitchen Manager may differ.
Regardless of the differences, a standard Kitchen Manager job description can include the following responsibilities:
- Manage kitchen staff, including hiring qualified candidates, training and scheduling
- Order and supervise the use of food, supplies and equipment to maintain kitchen inventory
- Create menus and ensure food quality and consistency
- Organize the kitchen budget and control costs
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
- Collaborate with restaurant management, front-of-house operations and other staff
- Handle customer complaints related to kitchen operations
- Implement new policies and procedures to improve kitchen operations in terms of efficiency and productivity
Kitchen Manager Skills & Qualifications
To allow job seekers to gauge whether they can perform the duties listed in your Kitchen Manager job description, you need to identify the best skills for the job:
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations, as well as standard labor laws
- Strong leadership and management skills
- Excellent communication skills to work effectively with staff, customers and other restaurant management
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities
- Familiarity with different food products, inventory management and cost control techniques
- Understanding of kitchen equipment and maintenance procedures
Kitchen Manager Experience Requirements
As the Kitchen Manager role is not an entry-level job, experience is a typical requirement in any job opening.
It’s best to specify the number of years that you believe can demonstrate their expertise and potential as a member of your team.
Also, differentiate the kind of experience they should have (in general kitchen operations, management, etc.).
- Minimum of three years of kitchen experience, with two years in a supervisory role
- Minimum of three years in kitchen management for a high-volume restaurant
Kitchen Manager Education and Certifications
Although a candidate’s experience is typically more important than their education and certifications, these can certainly give your kitchen an edge once they join your team.
Specify the education level and certifications you want candidates to possess, and differentiate between “required” and “preferred.” Some certifications can include HACCP, Food Protection Certificate, etc.
- A degree or diploma from a culinary school, or a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field
- Certifications in hospitality, food prep and food operations are an advantage
- High school diploma or equivalent
Kitchen Manager Salary Expectations
A Kitchen Manager in the U.S. can expect to earn an average salary of $56,460 per year, $4,705 per month or $27.14 per hour. Because this is a back-of-house management role, it is very unlikely that a Kitchen Manager will receive tips.
Check the earning potential of Kitchen Managers with our Kitchen Manager salary overview.
Kitchen Manager Job Description FAQs
A Kitchen Manager focuses on back-of-house operations, working with Chefs and other kitchen staff to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Meanwhile, a Chef focuses on cooking, food prep and meeting all food orders.
| Aspect | Chef | Kitchen Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Culinary creativity and food preparation | Operational management and efficiency |
| Main responsibilities | Designing menus and creating dishes | Overseeing kitchen operations and inventory |
| Staff interaction | Leading and training kitchen staff in cooking techniques | Supervising all kitchen staff and ensuring compliance with procedures |
Kitchen Managers can improve their performance by:
- Developing strong leadership skills
- Ensuring clear communication among their staff
- Observing best practices and efficient kitchen operations
Here are some job description samples similar to the role of Kitchen Manager:
