Restaurant Culinary / Kitchen Manager

Shy Bird is a dynamic and aspirational neighborhood restaurant group that prides itself on delivering affordable and approachable food and beverage offerings paired with sincere hospitality. Known for its commitment to nourishing both its guests and its community, Shy Bird aims to provide not only a memorable dining experience but also a meaningful employee experience. The company places a high emphasis on fostering professional growth opportunities, making it an ideal workplace for those looking to advance their careers in the hospitality industry. Shy Bird firmly believes that restaurants play an essential role in strengthening communities and positively impacting the lives of both employees and guests. As a part of this philosophy, the restaurant group creates an inclusive environment where team members feel valued and supported.

The Kitchen Manager role at Shy Bird is an exciting opportunity for an experienced culinary professional to manage kitchen operations during their shifts. This leadership position is critical in ensuring that food quality and execution meet the brand's exacting standards. The Kitchen Manager holds accountability for prep standards and kitchen systems, overseeing daily operations to guarantee consistency and excellence across all dishes served. They are responsible for managing the prep teams, dishwashing staff, and line cooks, ensuring that the kitchen operates smoothly, efficiently, and hygienically.

Key responsibilities include maintaining food quality standards, overseeing plating and recipe adherence, and managing the daily prep list. The Kitchen Manager conducts thorough line checks before and during service to ensure quality, organization, and cleanliness are upheld. Additionally, they manage inventory and ordering tasks aligned with business volume and events, coordinating with creative culinary teams to support menu development. This role requires strong communication skills to liaise effectively with Front of House managers, ensuring seamless service and clear understanding of item availability and menu changes.

Beyond daily operations, the Kitchen Manager at Shy Bird contributes to monthly inventory management in partnership with the Culinary Director and Culinary Operations Manager and is tasked with tracking food costs and key performance indicators (KPIs). A significant part of the role involves maintaining sanitation standards and supervising kitchen closing procedures to uphold the highest safety and cleanliness protocols. This role is not only about managing but also about fostering a positive and collaborative kitchen culture, where team members feel motivated and supported.

Ideal candidates are passionate about creating and serving high-quality, consistent, and delicious food. They demonstrate fairness, politeness, and a positive outlook in their management style, always seeking the best in others and assuming positive intent. Collaboration with other restaurant managers to foster a welcoming and fun work environment is essential. Candidates should have a proactive approach to problem-solving, showing a strong bias for action when addressing mistakes and discovering innovative solutions. This position offers a fantastic platform for culinary professionals who desire to contribute meaningfully to their kitchen teams and grow within a supportive, community-focused restaurant group.