Chef/Kitchen Manager

Chef / Kitchen Manager *Established Neighborhood Restaurant * *$85,000–$105,000 DOE + Performance Bonus + Benefits* We are seeking an experienced, hands-on *Chef / Kitchen Manager* to lead the culinary and back-of-house operations of an established neighborhood restaurant in Los Altos. This is an opportunity for a strong restaurant professional who enjoys both the culinary and operational sides of running a successful kitchen. We are looking for someone who can lead and develop a team, maintain consistently high food and sanitation standards, manage costs, and create the systems necessary for an organized and efficient kitchen. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, accountable and comfortable taking ownership of day-to-day kitchen operations while working collaboratively with ownership and the management team. Key Responsibilities * Lead all day-to-day back-of-house operations * Hire, train, schedule and develop kitchen employees * Establish clear leadership and accountability for every shift * Maintain consistent food quality, preparation and presentation * Develop and maintain prep lists, pars and production systems * Manage inventory, purchasing and vendor relationships * Monitor food cost, portion control and waste * Manage BOH labor according to business levels * Maintain accurate recipes, specifications and portion standards * Ensure proper FIFO, labeling, dating and product rotation * Maintain excellent food safety and sanitation standards * Establish and oversee daily and scheduled deep-cleaning procedures * Maintain organized walk-ins, freezers, refrigeration, line and storage areas * Oversee opening, closing and kitchen reset procedures * Ensure appropriate inventory levels of core products and ingredients * Participate in menu development and seasonal updates * Lead culinary execution for private events, catering and high-volume functions * Communicate proactively with ownership and management regarding staffing, purchasing, maintenance and operational needs What We're Looking For We are looking for a Chef who understands that strong kitchen leadership goes beyond preparing great food. Successful candidates will be comfortable creating and maintaining systems for inventory, ordering, prep, sanitation, staffing and cost control. You should be able to anticipate the needs of the operation, identify problems early and take responsibility for resolving them. This role requires someone who can establish standards, hold a team accountable and ensure the kitchen remains prepared, organized and consistent whether or not you are personally working a particular shift. Strong communication and follow-through are essential. We value leaders who communicate issues proactively, bring solutions forward and take responsibility for the overall performance of their department. Qualifications * 3+ years of successful kitchen leadership experience * Strong knowledge of food and labor cost management * Demonstrated experience with inventory, purchasing and par systems * Experience hiring, training, scheduling and managing BOH teams * Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation and proper product handling * ServSafe Manager certification or ability to obtain promptly * Excellent organizational and communication skills * Experience with both daily restaurant service and private events/catering preferred * Comfortable working hands-on alongside the culinary team when needed * Experience developing kitchen systems, recipes and SOPs preferred Compensation & Benefits *$85,000–$105,000 annually, depending on experience* Compensation package also includes: * Performance-based bonus opportunity * Health benefits * Paid vacation * Employee meals * Additional compensation opportunities * Opportunity for long-term growth The Opportunity This position offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on an established restaurant. We believe great kitchen leaders should have the autonomy to lead while also being accountable for the performance of their department. We are looking for someone who takes pride in building a strong team, maintaining an exceptionally clean and organized kitchen, controlling costs and delivering consistently excellent food. If you are an experienced culinary leader who enjoys creating structure, developing people and taking ownership of an operation, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction describing your kitchen leadership experience and what you are looking for in your next role. us as a Chef/Kitchen Manager to bring your culinary expertise to life! Lead your team with enthusiasm, innovate menus that delight our guests, and uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality in every dish served. This is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a vibrant hospitality environment where your leadership truly matters! Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year Benefits: * Food provided * Health insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Work Location: In person