Assistant Kitchen Manager - Alcove OTR

Why Join MadTree as a Assistant Kitchen Manager?If you want to lead in a place where people genuinely care — about each other, about craft, and about the community we serve — then MadTree is where you belong. As an Assistant Kitchen Manager, you’ll help shape a kitchen culture rooted in connection, growth, and giving a f*ck. You’ll guide a team that supports one another, celebrates wins together, and takes pride in creating experiences that bring people closer to nature and to each other. This role is more than running a line or managing a shift. It’s about building a team that feels valued, crafting exceptional food with consistency and care, and leading with purpose every day. You’ll collaborate across departments, mentor emerging talent, and help create a kitchen environment where people feel supported, heard, and inspired.Total Rewards & Benefits✓ Transparent compensation — Compensation Range: $44,500 – $55,000 – $60,000 ✓ 401(k) — with company match✓ FREE mental health support — 8 in-person/video sessions + unlimited text-based therapy ✓ Paid volunteer time annually + company-wide Community Impact Day✓ Enjoy what we create — Regular gift cards for MadTree food, beverages, and merch ✓ Continued growth — Cross-training opportunities across hospitality operations ✓ Nature-inspired workspaces — Designed to connect people to nature and each other ✓ Face-to-face humanity — Real human connection, not screen isolation✓ A team that gives a f*ck — People who are passionate and genuinely careAbout MadTree BrewingFounded in 2013, MadTree is an award-winning brewery that’s rooted in Cincinnati and planted in purpose. Driven to craft great beer - but more importantly - build a business dedicated to doing good, MadTree protects and celebrates nature while reducing impact on the environment. MadTree is a B-Corp certified company and proud member of 1% for the Planet with a commitment to donate 1% of sales to local, sustainable nonprofits. MadTree strives to create warm and welcoming experiences, exceed expectations, and most importantly, plant a better community. They put purpose in every pour, and raise a glass to doing things differently.WHAT IS ALCOVE - OTR?Alcove - OTR is the first evolution of the MadTree hospitality experience; a space intentionally designed to connect people to nature and each other in the heart of Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.Located in one of Cincinnati’s most historic and storied German beer halls, Alcove - OTR lives inside a building that was beautifully restored in 2022 and thoughtfully reimagined for a new generation of gathering and hospitality. The LEED-certified space blends approachable dining with warm hospitality, thoughtful design, and a nature-inspired atmosphere that feels both elevated and inviting. Complete with more than 2,500 live plants, stunning living walls, patio space, and our signature greenhouse bar, the space blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors while creating a nook of nature in the middle of the city.As the foundation of the Alcove concept, the space carries forward our commitment to crafted food and beverage offerings, immersive hospitality, and experiences that feel memorable without feeling pretentious. Alcove - OTR is a living expression of who we are as a company and the experiences we aspire to create every single day.We are MadTree. Rooted in Cincy. Planted in Purpose.MadTree is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce that inspires madness while being rooted in purpose. We offer a competitive compensation package plus great benefits like subsidized health insurance, a retirement plan with a match, paid time off, and many other great perks.POSITION SUMMARY: The Assistant Kitchen Manager supports the Kitchen Manager in all operational aspects, providing leadership during service while assisting with administrative functions including invoices, scheduling, hiring, and inventory management. They will also be an avid MadTree Brewing Company ambassador who lives out our behaviors of Connect, Grow, and Give a F*ck.LOCATION: Cincinnati, OHSTATUS: Full-Time (Exempt - Salaried)REPORTS TO: Kitchen ManagerCOMPENSATION RANGE: $44,500 – $55,000 – $60,000 with eligibility for additional variable compensationEssential Duties & ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Cultural DevelopmentDrive cultural alignment by modeling our behaviors (Connect, Grow, Give A Fuck) and creating an environment where team members feel valued and heardLead by example in demonstrating our Points of Difference (We are warm and welcoming. We craft to exceed expectations. Together we plant a better community.) through every interaction with team members and guestsDevelop team members through regular coaching conversations, skill-building opportunities, and clear career pathing discussionsFoster cross-departmental collaboration by building strong relationships with FOH, Private Events, and bar teams to ensure unified service deliveryOperational Management & Service ExecutionAct as the designated person-in-charge of kitchen operations during assigned shifts when the Kitchen Manager is not present; supervising food preparation, cooking techniques, presentation, and maintaining consistency and qualityProvide a strong presence in the kitchen and on the lineSkillfully and knowledgeably work all kitchen stationsLead and guide kitchen team members during service, ensuring quality, efficiency, and adherence to standards (i.e. recipe, ticket time, cleanliness, plate presentation, etc)Conduct pre-shift meetings and quality checks before, during, and after service periodsTroubleshoot operational issues that arise during service and implement appropriate solutionsDocument and communicate shift notes, concerns, and successes on log notesGuest Experience & Quality StandardsPartner with location leadership to provide outstanding guest experiences through delivery of our Points of Differentiation: We are Warm & Welcoming, We Craft to Exceed Expectations, and Together, We Plant a Better CommunityMonitor and maintain food quality and consistency through active oversight and hands-on involvementMonitor guest feedback and strive to continuously improve food quality and serviceCollaborate regularly with the Private Events team to plan and execute event cateringSupport execution of special events and catering functions as neededTeam Development & Talent ManagementParticipate in interviews, onboarding, training, and developing the kitchen team and hold them accountable to high standards of operations, safety, and sanitationAssist with staff scheduling, hiring, and team member developmentParticipate in performance management including coaching conversations and documentationCommunicate the "why's and how's" to team members when giving direction to create an engaged team in a trusting atmosphereClearly conveying expectations and feedback while developing positive relationships and connection with team members and managementDevelop and maintain standard operating procedures and a training program for all kitchen operationsFinancial & Inventory ManagementSupport the Kitchen Manager with administrative tasks including invoice processing, inventory management, and orderingMonitor and manage food inventory, including ordering, receiving, and storage, to minimize waste and control costsWork within budget constraints to optimize food costs while maintaining quality, portion control, and pricingAnalyze the cost-effectiveness of menu items and make recommendations for adjustments as neededSafety, Compliance & Equipment ManagementEnsure comprehensive compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation standards throughout each shiftSupervise proper food handling, storage, and preparation according to established proceduresExtensive knowledge of safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures; conduct regular quality checks on food items, ensuring they meet company standards and guest expectationsEnforce health and safety regulations, ensuring a clean and organized kitchen environment; stay up-to-date with health department and food safety regulations to ensure compliance and safetyMonitor kitchen equipment and ensure it is kept in good repair; make sure malfunctioning equipment is repaired as quickly as possibleReport equipment maintenance needs and facility issues to the Kitchen ManagerCross-Functional Collaboration & CommunicationPartner with front-of-house leadership to ensure smooth coordination between kitchen and service teamsCollaborate with the location management team to ensure seamless service and a positive guest experienceCollaborate on and oversee execution of seasonal menu changes and event calendar to ensure operations teams maintain quality and flowCommunity Impact & ValuesEnthusiastically spend a minimum of 16 hours per year volunteering (paid) for MadTree Impact initiatives with excitement, encouraging teammates to do the sameAdditional ResponsibilitiesPerform other job-related duties as assignedQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties, accountabilities, and responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 21 years of age or older.High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education preferred2+ years of kitchen leadership, inventory management, training, and development (with teams 20+) in a high-volume ($5M+) restaurant requiredServSafe PIC/Manager certifiedImportant Skills And AbilitiesAvailability: Required to work evening hours, weekends, and holidays; management work week averages 45-50+ hours per week and more as deemed necessary at various timesAttitude: Positive attitude and strong desire to be helpful with a friendly, service-oriented mindset to be in the service of guests and staff at all timesLeadership presence: Able to earn respect from team, provide direction, and inspire confidenceTime Management: Strong skills in time management and organization with the ability to prioritize tasks and work under pressureInitiative: Comfort with working independently, multitasking, and maintaining efficiency and productivity during high-pressure service periodsCommunication: Effective and frequent communication with management and support staff, regardless of department, location, or shiftCulinary: Comprehensive culinary knowledge and ability to skillfully work all kitchen stationsTech Proficiency: comfort with restaurant management platforms including R365, Toast, Google Suite, etc.Physical RequirementsAbility to regularly sit, stand, and walk.Ability to frequently talk and hear.Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms. Use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.The work environment is usually that of a kitchen, restaurant, and bar.The employee occasionally works near hazardous materials.The employee frequently works on wet floors.