Executive Kitchen Manager (West LA, CA)

Tocaya is a vibrant dining establishment with locations in Century City and Santa Monica, renowned for its commitment to providing an exceptional culinary experience paired with warm and attentive service. As a dynamic and rapidly growing restaurant brand, Tocaya prides itself on delivering fresh, flavorful meals in an inviting atmosphere that appeals to a diverse clientele. The company's focus on quality ingredients, innovative menu options, and guest satisfaction has made it a standout choice for food enthusiasts looking for a unique dining destination. With a team-driven culture and a passion for excellence, Tocaya creates a welcoming environment where employees are encouraged to grow professionally and contribute to the restaurant's ongoing success.

The Executive Kitchen Manager role at Tocaya is a pivotal leadership position responsible for overseeing all aspects of restaurant operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and high-quality dining experiences. This role involves managing and directing all kitchen and dining room team members, driving performance, and maintaining the highest standards of food quality and guest service. The Executive Kitchen Manager fosters a positive and motivating workplace culture by exemplifying strong leadership skills and facilitating continuous team development through comprehensive training and certification programs. This individual is instrumental in managing employee relations, providing constructive feedback, and handling performance management issues promptly and effectively.

In this position, the Executive Kitchen Manager is deeply involved in operational planning and execution, including menu item rollouts, ingredient freshness and presentation standards, and managing food production schedules. Key responsibilities include leading shift preparations, conducting pre-shift meetings, and overseeing opening and closing procedures to ensure all stations are well-prepared and maintain stringent cleanliness and safety standards. They also play a crucial role in maintaining compliance with food safety regulations through regular line checks and safety training, ensuring a secure environment for both guests and staff.

Financial management is another critical component of this leadership role. The Executive Kitchen Manager is entrusted with managing inventory orders, tracking purchase expenditures, approving invoices, and adjusting labor schedules to control costs effectively. A strong understanding of Profit and Loss (P&L) statements enables the manager to analyze restaurant performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategic solutions to optimize profitability. This position requires excellent communication skills, big-picture strategic thinking, and the ability to foster collaborative work relationships across management levels to enhance operational success.

The typical work schedule for this role varies and includes nights and weekends, reflecting the demands of a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant environment. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $66,600 to $80,000, plus bonuses, recognizing the valuable contributions of this leadership role to Tocaya's continued growth and excellence.

Overall, the Executive Kitchen Manager at Tocaya play an essential role in the restaurant's success by combining operational expertise, culinary passion, and leadership excellence to create outstanding dining experiences that exceed guest expectations while maintaining a productive and positive work culture.