Kitchen Manager

Kitchen Manager

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen – Santa Barbara, CA
Full-Time | $28–$32 per hour, depending on experience

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen is looking for an experienced, organized, and hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house operations. We are a busy café and kitchen serving thoughtfully prepared breakfast, lunch, baked goods, seasonal specials, and weekend brunch.

The ideal candidate is a strong kitchen leader who enjoys creating structure, developing a team, maintaining high standards, and collaborating on seasonal menu ideas. This is a working manager position that combines administrative responsibilities with active participation in daily kitchen production and service.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations, prep production, and service
• Order food, ingredients, disposables, and other kitchen products
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while controlling waste and food costs
• Receive and inspect deliveries for quality, accuracy, and proper storage
• Develop and manage weekly prep lists and production schedules
• Ensure all recipes, portion standards, plating guidelines, and quality expectations are consistently followed
• Train and coach kitchen employees on recipes, procedures, food safety, and performance standards
• Prepare and execute rotating soups, seasonal specials, and menu features
• Work directly with ownership to develop and test menu ideas and specials
• Create the weekly kitchen schedule based on staffing and business needs
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, productivity, and employee performance
• Ensure employees receive required meal and rest breaks and that break procedures are properly documented
• Maintain compliance with food-safety, sanitation, labeling, temperature-control, and workplace requirements
• Maintain an organized, clean, safe, and fully stocked kitchen
• Communicate equipment, staffing, purchasing, and operational concerns to ownership
• Participate in cooking, prep, and service as needed

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of kitchen leadership experience preferred
• Strong working knowledge of kitchen production, prep systems, inventory, ordering, and food-cost control
• Experience creating schedules and directing kitchen staff
• Ability to follow, teach, and consistently enforce standardized recipes
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food-storage practices
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Dependable, professional, and able to hold employees accountable
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Availability to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required
• Current California Food Protection Manager Certification, or ability to obtain one
• Ability to stand for extended periods and safely lift up to 50 pounds

What We Offer

• Competitive pay of $28–$32 per hour, depending on experience
• Full-time schedule
• Overtime pay in accordance with California law
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, with an employer contribution for eligible employees
• 401(k) program for eligible employees
• Paid sick leave
• Employee meals
• Paid Vacation
• Opportunity to contribute creatively to a growing local restaurant company

We are looking for someone who takes pride in running an organized kitchen, develops the people around them, and cares deeply about consistency and food quality.

To apply, please submit your résumé along with a brief note describing your kitchen leadership experience and availability.