Role Summary
The Kitchen Manager reports to the Kitchen Director and works closely with the Executive Director and Logistics Manager to oversee all kitchen operations at Chick-fil-A Forsyth. They are the primary leader responsible for the kitchen’s performance from opening to close, ensuring excellence in food safety, quality, cleanliness, and efficiency. The Kitchen Manager assumes responsibility from the back door to the "swing door," ensuring that all back-of-house operations meet Chick-fil-A’s high standards. The Kitchen Manager is responsible for developing and managing an Assistant Kitchen Manager and a team of leaders to ensure seamless operations, even in the Kitchen Manager's absence. They embody Chick-fil-A Forsyth’s core values (“Passion for Excellence,” “Achieve Together,” “Commit to Integrity,” and “Excel Every Day”) and ensure that LEAN manufacturing principles are applied to minimize waste and optimize efficiency.
Expectations
- Ensure all food safety protocols and quality standards are consistently met.
- Maintain cleanliness by adopting a proactive "keep it inspection-ready" philosophy.
- Lead by example, modeling Chick-fil-A standards and coaching team members to do the same.
- Develop an Assistant Kitchen Manager and a team of Team Leaders to manage kitchen operations in the Kitchen Manager's absence.
- Implement LEAN manufacturing principles to minimize waste and improve efficiency.
- Oversee accurate inventory management, ensuring correct deliveries, proper storage, and precise recipe execution to minimize food costs.
- Be prepared for inspections, catering orders, and abnormal operating conditions at all times.
- Get results, hunger for wisdom, and increase personal leadership capacity.
- Directly provide leadership, management, and accountability by leading shifts.
Primary Responsibilities
Food Safety and Quality
- Ensure compliance with Chick-fil-A food safety standards, maintaining a focus on delivering safe, high-quality products.
- Train team members on proper food safety practices, including storage, handling, and preparation.
- Proactively address food quality issues to maintain guest satisfaction.
Operational Efficiency
- Apply LEAN manufacturing principles to minimize waste (Muda) and improve workflow.
- Maintain accurate inventory and ensure proper storage of all supplies.
- Oversee the timely completion of maintenance tasks and repairs to avoid disruptions.
- Monitor food production rates to match guest volume, ensuring speed and accuracy.
Leadership Development
- Recruit, train, and develop an Assistant Kitchen Manager and Team Leaders.
- Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among kitchen staff.
- Provide coaching and feedback to build leadership capacity within the kitchen team.
Primary Tasks
Daily
- Lead opening and closing procedures for the kitchen.
- Monitor food safety and quality during all shifts.
- Ensure the kitchen is fully stocked and ready for operations.
- Address and resolve any operational issues that arise during service.
Weekly
- Conduct kitchen team meetings to review performance and set goals.
- Review inventory levels and coordinate with the Logistics Manager for supply orders.
- Audit kitchen cleanliness and maintenance schedules.
- Provide ongoing training for team members on food safety and efficiency.
Monthly/Quarterly
- Evaluate the performance of kitchen team members, including Team Leaders.
- Update training materials to reflect changes in recipes or operational standards.
- Collaborate with leadership on long-term improvement initiatives.
- Prepare for and participate in inspections and internal audits.
What Winning Looks Like
- Elite Food Safety Rating because food safety standards are consistently maintained through proper storage, handling, and audits, ensuring compliance and reducing risks.
- The kitchen operates efficiently, with minimal waste and high accuracy in food production.
- Team members demonstrate a clear understanding of Chick-fil-A’s recipes and quality standards.
- The leadership team is fully trained and capable of running the kitchen seamlessly in the Kitchen Manager’s absence.
- The kitchen consistently supports front-of-house operations by delivering timely and accurate orders.
- Kitchen has a tour and inspection-ready level of cleanliness maintained at all times for equipment and the facility.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Food Safety Score
- Quality improvement Visit (QIV) Score
- Automated Holding Assistant (AHA)
- Daily SAFE
- eRQA
- Labor Productivity
- Customer Experience Monitor (CEM): Speed of Service, Order Accuracy, and Taste of Food
- Team Leader retention rate
- Chicken Tracking
This role is essential to ensuring the kitchen operates at peak performance while maintaining Chick-fil-A Forsyth’s high standards of excellence. The Kitchen Manager must be a proactive leader, passionate about food safety, quality, and the development of others.
Qualifications and Requirements
Leadership Skills
Must possess leadership traits that Chick-fil-A Vicksburg seeks in future leaders:
- Character – values driven,
- Chemistry – relationship builder, coaches others to perform
- Competency – results oriented. systems thinker, quick study
- College – formal education continued
- The HEART of Leadership
- SERVE Leadership Model
Leads with Vision and Purpose:
- Communicates a compelling and inspired vision and sense of common purpose.
- Talks about possibilities beyond today and shapes behaviors to achieve them.
- Create milestones and symbols to rally support.
- A servant leader who sets the pace, team-oriented, with a passion for people and world-class service.
- Possess the ability to drive and manage change.
- Well-organized manager with excellent verbal, written, and electronic communications skills
- Meet with the Leadership Team as a strategic partner
- Build effective relationships with operators, directors, managers, and leaders to: a) share learning and best/next practices, b) create alignment and support for change and growth
Position Type:
- Full-time
Our Benefits Include:
- A fun work environment where you can positively influence others
- Flexible scheduling (and closed on Sundays)
- Learning firsthand from an experienced Operator and Restaurant Leaders
- Intentional growth and development to help you reach your professional goals
- Scholarship opportunities
- Competitive pay - Up to $25.00 per hour
Most Chick-fil-A® Restaurants are operated by independent franchised business owners who make all their own employment decisions and are responsible for their own content and policies.
Work schedule
- Weekend availability
- Holidays
- Day shift
- Night shift
- Other
- Overtime
Benefits
- Flexible schedule
- Employee discount
- Paid training
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Health insurance
- Referral program