Kitchen Manager

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a renowned casual dining restaurant chain that has been redefining the pizza industry since its inception in 1985. Founded by former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK introduced innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club, and Thai Chicken, helping California stake its claim alongside Chicago and New York in the pizza revolution. The brand is celebrated for its vibrant, open kitchens and inventive recipes that blend fresh ingredients with bold flavors, attracting taste makers, rule breakers, and earth shakers who bring passion and creativity to every meal. CPK is rooted in a culture that values respect, opportunity, communication, kindness, and service, and the company prides itself on fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where employees can be themselves and grow professionally.

The role available at California Pizza Kitchen is a managerial position focused on overseeing the back-of-house (BOH) operations in a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant setting. This leadership role demands a hands-on approach to managing kitchen activities, ensuring a seamless workflow during busy periods, and maintaining high standards of food preparation and plating. The manager will be responsible not only for delivering an exceptional guest experience but also for driving sales, profitability, and guest counts while managing the restaurant's profit and loss (P&L) statements effectively. The position requires strong planning and forecasting skills, labor expenditure adjustments, portion control management, budget preparation, and variance analysis. A key component of this leadership role is inspiring and developing a strong, hospitality-minded team that embodies CPK's best-in-class culture. This includes fostering career growth and cross-training opportunities to empower team members and enhance operational efficiency.

CPK offers a comprehensive eight-week training program that combines online learning, book study, and shoulder-to-shoulder coaching to equip new managers with the tools needed to succeed. The company's unique electronic learning platform, "The Proof," supports continuous development. Employees enjoy a dynamic and passionate company culture that values individuality and contribution. The role includes numerous benefits, such as all-the-pizza-you-can-eat manager meals, a Management Dine-Out card, and access to the employee-driven Kindness Fund, which aids team members during challenging times. Compensation includes an industry-competitive package with bonus potential alongside a comprehensive benefits program featuring medical, dental, and vision coverage. CPK values excellent communication skills and a safety-conscious mindset, ensuring compliance with sanitation standards and providing a safe, healthy work environment. The company is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintains an inclusive workplace free of discrimination. This position requires a minimum of two years of BOH management experience, strong verbal and written communication skills, and exceptional leadership capabilities, with a passion for execution, hospitality, and service being essential to success.