Kitchen Manager / Executive Chef

Thunderdome Restaurant Group is a dynamic and rapidly expanding company that currently operates nine distinctive dining concepts including Bakersfield, The Eagle, Krueger's Tavern, SoHi, Maplewood, Pepp & Dolores, The Davidson, City Bird, and Currito. Known for its commitment to excellence and deep-rooted values, Thunderdome has cultivated a vibrant culture that champions loyalty, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of exceptional quality in the restaurant industry. The company prides itself on living by its core values: Make a Memory, Add Value, Be Transparent, Persevere, and Throw the Party. These values drive every decision and interaction within the organization and serve as guiding principles for creating memorable dining experiences and fostering a strong community atmosphere.

The Kitchen Manager role at Thunderdome Restaurant Group is a pivotal position responsible for overseeing the entire kitchen operation. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Kitchen Manager ensures that all aspects of the kitchen—from people management to product quality, from food safety to operational efficiency—are held to the highest standards. This role demands a hands-on leader who is passionate about food and hospitality and is eager to grow alongside the company's expansion. The job requires continuous physical movement including regularly bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and handling items up to 50 pounds, making physical endurance and manual dexterity essential. Furthermore, the ideal candidate must possess sharp auditory and visual skills and the ability to carefully follow both written and oral instructions and procedures.

The Kitchen Manager leads the back of the house team by hiring, training, scheduling, and developing team members and managers. They are responsible for food ordering, receiving deliveries, maintaining food inventory and cost controls, and ensuring adherence to updated recipes and brand standards. Maintaining operational goals related to food costs, labor costs, and quality is a key part of the job, alongside rigorous monitoring for compliance with safety, sanitation, and health regulations. The Kitchen Manager also plays a critical role in implementing and managing the standards and expectations of Thunderdome Restaurant Group to ensure brand consistency and excellence across all kitchen operations. This comprehensive leadership role offers an opportunity for an individual who is driven, detail-oriented, and ready to contribute directly to the success and evolution of a thriving restaurant group.