Culinary Operations Manager

Fresh Kitchen is a pioneering fast-casual restaurant brand that is redefining what "fast food" can be by focusing on real, wholesome food made from scratch. Their menu is crafted from high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients such as 100% pure olive oil instead of seed oils, hand-cut vegetables, antibiotic and hormone-free meats, responsibly sourced seafood, and 100% gluten-free recipes. This commitment to quality and health-conscious food aligns with their proudly stated philosophy: Good Food Forever. As a brand, Fresh Kitchen envisions expanding to 100 remarkable restaurants by the year 2034, showcasing their ambition and dedication to growing a sustainable business focused on both people and culture as much as on food quality and operational excellence.

The Culinary Operations Manager role at Fresh Kitchen is crucial to maintaining this high standard of excellence in the kitchen, often referred to as the back-of-house (BOH). This role is not just about managing behind the scenes but about owning the food quality, holding operational standards, building and nurturing the team, and driving results in every shift. The manager acts as a key leader responsible for food quality, speed, consistency, kitchen flow, food safety, sanitation, adherence to standards, staffing, coaching, training, cost control, inventory accuracy, waste reduction, labor deployment, and more. This hands-on leadership position ensures the kitchen performs at its best consistently, creating an environment where great food and great service are the norm.

Reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working closely with the Assistant Culinary Manager and the Restaurant Operations Manager, the Culinary Operations Manager aligns kitchen execution with front-of-house activities and online or catering demands. This partnership approach ensures seamless operations from ordering to meal delivery while maintaining rigorous standards that define the Fresh Kitchen experience.

Success in this role means delivering incredible food quality in every bowl, every shift, morning to night. The manager enforces consistency in taste and preparation, manages peak workload periods with efficiency and cleanliness, ensures line checks are thorough and effective, and that the kitchen environment is orderly and well-equipped. The role demands a strong focus on coaching and developing talent, creating schedules that optimize team performance, and fostering a kitchen culture of accountability, pride, and ownership rather than chaos. This leadership position also oversees inventory control and food cost management through precise yield analysis, waste minimization, and disciplined ordering.

Fresh Kitchen’s leadership philosophy blends high standards with a compassionate, people-first approach. The Culinary Operations Manager is expected to lead with care and accountability, coach proactively, maintain calm under pressure, and build repeatable routines that make operational excellence achievable daily. They don’t just manage a kitchen; they energize it and inspire the team to succeed.

Qualified candidates typically have at least five years of management experience in a culinary or kitchen leadership role within high-volume, food-focused restaurants, ideally with experience in scratch kitchens that emphasize quality and standards. They must possess strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and the flexibility to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Certification such as ServSafe is preferred, and a culinary education is a plus but not mandatory. Physical stamina is essential as this role requires standing and walking for extended periods and working in varying conditions.

Compensation for this pivotal role ranges from $65,000 to $75,000 annually with an additional 8-12% profit-sharing bonus, reflecting the company’s commitment to rewarding hard work and results. Fresh Kitchen offers comprehensive benefits including affordable group health, vision, and dental plans, a 401(k) match, paid time off, holiday closures, free meals, and a culture that values people and provides clear career paths. This position is ideal for culinary leaders seeking a meaningful career in a fast-growing brand that blends quality food, operational discipline, and a supportive team environment.