Chef de Cuisine / Kitchen Manager – Santa Clara, CA
Full-Time | New American Restaurant with BBQ Pit & Food Truck
I’m partnering with a growing, well-regarded restaurant group in Santa Clara, CA that’s looking for a Chef de Cuisine / Kitchen Manager to lead back-of-house operations. This is a New American, full-service restaurant with an on-site BBQ pit and a supporting food truck—offering variety without being a BBQ-centric concept.
This role is ideal for a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys running a clean, organized kitchen while mentoring a strong BOH team.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee daily kitchen operations for the restaurant, BBQ pit, and food truck
- Ensure consistent execution, quality, and presentation of a New American menu
- Lead, train, and develop BOH staff in a respectful, team-focused environment
- Maintain food safety, sanitation, and California health code compliance
- Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost controls
- Collaborate on seasonal menu updates and daily specials
- Support scheduling, labor management, and kitchen systems
What They’re Looking For
- 3+ years in a Chef de Cuisine, Kitchen Manager, or similar BOH leadership role
- Experience in high-volume, full-service kitchens
- Comfort working with grilling or smoking (no BBQ specialization required)
- Strong operational skills: inventory, cost control, systems, and execution
- A steady, communicative leader who develops people and holds standards
- ServSafe or equivalent certification
Bonus Skills
- Food truck or mobile kitchen experience
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Formal culinary training
What’s Offered
- Competitive salary + 10% performance bonus
- Work–life balance–minded scheduling
- Full health benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- PTO
- Growth potential within an expanding restaurant group
- Collaborative, no-ego culture
If you’re a Chef de Cuisine / Kitchen Manager who enjoys leading a New American kitchen with a few unique operational elements, I’d be happy to share more about this Santa Clara opportunity.
