Kitchen Operations Manager

Job Summary

SuyaVerse Grillhouse is looking for a Kitchen Operations Manager to lead and elevate our back-of-house operations for a bold, high-energy Nigerian street food concept.

From perfectly cooked food to fast-moving ticket times, this role ensures every plate reflects our culture, flavor, and standard of excellence. You’ll be responsible for building efficient systems, maintaining food safety, and leading a team that delivers both speed and quality.

What You’ll Do

Kitchen Operations & Flow (“From Grill to Guest”)

• Optimize kitchen workflow from prep to grill to plating
• Ensure suya, grilled meats, and signature dishes are served hot, fresh, and consistent
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks that slow down service
• Maintain speed during peak hours without sacrificing quality

Labor & Team Leadership

• Manage staffing using Labor-to-Sales (LTS) targets
• Build schedules that support both busy nights and slower shifts
• Lead, coach, and hold kitchen staff accountable to high standards
• Create a strong, disciplined, and team-oriented kitchen culture

Inventory & Food Cost Control

• Enforce FIFO (First-In, First-Out) across all ingredients
• Reduce waste on high-value proteins (beef, chicken, ram) and produce
• Maintain tight control on food cost and inventory levels
• Ensure proper seasoning, marination, and storage standards

Restaurant Technology & Order Accuracy

• Oversee POS, Kitchen Display System (KDS), and delivery platforms
• Ensure accurate and timely execution of dine-in and online orders
• Reduce missed items, wrong orders, and delays

Food Safety & Compliance (Non-Negotiable)

• Implement and enforce HACCP food safety systems
• Maintain temperature logs for meats, grills, and holding stations
• Prevent cross-contamination and enforce allergen protocols
• Ensure full compliance with local health codes and OSHA standards

Safety & Risk Management

• Conduct daily and weekly “Safety Walks” in the kitchen
• Maintain grill safety, fire suppression systems, and equipment standards
• Train staff on emergency procedures (fire, injury, food safety incidents)
• Manage incident reports and Workers’ Compensation processes

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of kitchen or restaurant management experience
• Strong understanding of food safety (HACCP knowledge a plus)
• Proven ability to manage labor, food cost, and kitchen systems
• Strong leadership presence firm, fair, and consistent
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

Bonus If You Have

• Experience with African, Caribbean, or bold-flavor cuisines
• Experience managing delivery-heavy restaurant operations
• Passion for culture-driven food concepts
• EXPERIENCE WITH AFRICAN FOOD HIGHLY DESIRED

• Pay & Benefits
• Competitive salary (based on experience)
• Performance-based bonuses tied to efficiency and cost control
• Growth opportunities
• Employee meals and team perks

About Suyaverse Grillhouse
Suyaverse Grillhouse is an Austin-based Nigerian and African grill restaurant built around the art of fire, spice, and bold West African flavor. Our kitchen is home to signature suya — expertly spiced, wood-smoked skewered meats — alongside staples like Jollof Rice, Grilled Fish, and Pepper Soup, plus creative fusion plates like Suya Tacos and Suya Burgers. We take our craft seriously: every dish is rooted in tradition but open to innovation. If you're a chef who loves working with bold seasonings, live fire, and a menu that tells a story, Suyaverse is your kitchen. We operate Wednesday through Sunday and are looking for culinary talent that brings both skill and soul to the grill.