Assistant Executive Chef

Norman, OK, USA|

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $23.08 - $30.07

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Monthly bonuses

annual bonuses

Paid management training

Referral program

Employee Discounts

Holiday closure

financial assistance

Job Description

P.F. Chang's is a renowned American-based restaurant chain that specializes in Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese food with a modern twist. Established as a leading casual dining brand, P.F. Chang's has built a reputation for providing guests with high-quality dishes in a stylish and welcoming environment. With a commitment to excellence, the company focuses on delivering exceptional food, service, and ambiance to guests across multiple locations. At its core, P.F. Chang's values family, food, and celebration of life, making it much more than just a place to eat — it’s a community where employees and guests alike can experience meaningful moments.

The company supports its team members through competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth, including paid management training programs designed to enhance skills and encourage career advancement. P.F. Chang's operates with strong corporate values, including promoting from within and encouraging employees to develop their talents and assume leadership roles within the company.

Hiring immediately, P.F. Chang's is seeking a full-time Assistant Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager, Culinary Manager, or Senior Kitchen Manager. This role is classified as non-exempt and offers a pay range based on experience of $66,008.80 to $86,000.20 annually, or $23.08 to $30.07 per hour, assuming a 50-hour workweek. The position plays a vital role in maintaining the high operational standards expected in P.F. Chang's kitchens and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for guests.

The Assistant Kitchen Culinary Manager or Assistant Executive Chef supports the Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager by managing the culinary team and overseeing food service operations. Responsibilities include hiring, training, and developing kitchen staff, managing inventory, and controlling food costs. This leadership position requires strong organizational, communication, and management skills to ensure smooth kitchen operations, adherence to food safety standards, and timely food preparation.

The successful candidate will be accountable for operational excellence in the kitchen and delegate tasks and assignments accordingly. They will conduct initial interviews with potential kitchen staff, oversee the selection and orientation of sous chefs and kitchen employees, and implement ongoing training programs to maintain high-quality food preparation and execution. Maintaining food quality standards, managing inventory and food costs, ensuring the kitchen meets safety requirements, and supervising kitchen maintenance are other key duties.

This role demands someone comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and able to lead a team effectively while also contributing hands-on in food preparation when necessary. The Assistant Kitchen Culinary Manager must be proficient in all kitchen stations, responsible for daily prep lists, opening and closing checklists, and overall kitchen cleanliness and safety on every shift. This position also requires physical stamina to stand and walk for long periods, handle lifting duties up to 50 pounds, and work in varying kitchen temperatures.

P.F. Chang's offers numerous benefits to support its employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans, as well as paid time off. Employees may also benefit from competitive pay with monthly and annual performance bonuses, access to exclusive discounts, holiday closures such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a supportive community that offers financial assistance through the Lucky Cat Fund during hardships. Additionally, the company encourages workplace growth and development through paid management training and referral bonuses for recommending qualified candidates to the team.

Working at P.F. Chang's means being part of a passionate community dedicated to celebrating life, family, and food. The company culture emphasizes meaningful work and employee development, making it an excellent opportunity for culinary professionals seeking growth within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Job Requirements

Must be able to stand and walk for periods of eight to ten hours in length each shift
Must be able to reach, bend, balance and transport various objects weighing up to 30 lbs. repeatedly during a shift
At times it might be necessary to lift up to 50 lbs.
Must be able to work around various levels of temperature, including warm to very warm temperatures in the kitchen
2+ years of culinary management experience with experience managing and writing prep lists
Must possess a valid driver’s license to perform occasional duties such as providing shift coverage, meeting liquor license requirements (depending on the state), delivering large catering orders (which may include operating a rental truck), making supply runs, local restaurant marketing, attending offsite training and business meetings, and traveling between restaurant locations to support operations
Experience working in a hands-on, fast paced, high volume environment
Experience in managing a team, while identifying and developing employees for future leadership roles
Experience in facilitating and executing an effective training program
Effective communication and organizational skills
Understanding of managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials

Job Qualifications

2+ years of culinary management experience with experience managing and writing prep lists
Experience working in a hands-on, fast paced, high volume environment
Experience in managing a team, while identifying and developing employees for future leadership roles
Experience in facilitating and executing an effective training program
Effective communication and organizational skills
Understanding of managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials
Must possess a valid driver’s license

Job Duties

Accountable for operational excellence in the kitchen
Delegates tasks and gives direction to all kitchen staff
Initial interviews with kitchen management and staff candidates
Selection, orientation and continual development of all sous chefs and kitchen staff
Prepares work schedules for sous chef and kitchen staff
On-going preservation of safety certification requirements for all kitchen staff
Supervises and facilitates all training for all food prep and execution of menu items, procedures, and recipes to all kitchen staff
Responsible for maintaining all product quality standards
Responsible for maintaining expected food costs and inventory
Ensures proper timing and production for food orders
On-going performance appraisals for sous chefs and kitchen staff
Holds kitchen staff accountable for dress code standards
Oversees or completes all prep lists and ordering guides
Completes opening and closing checklists
Responsible for maintenance and repairs of kitchen equipment and facility
Responsible for knowing how to work all kitchen stations proficiently
Accountable for providing a clean and safe environment for both team members and guests