Job Description: Kitchen Manager/Lead Line Cook
Reports To: Cafe General Manager, Executive Chef
Job Status: Full Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
About Us: ALMA ("soul" in Spanish and Portuguese) is a neighborhood coffeehouse built around the heart and community of a farmers market - rooted in community, seasonal produce from local farms and makers, and genuine hospitality.
The Role: Reporting to the Cafe GM, the Kitchen Manager is the point person for all back-of-house activity - a hands-on role managed mostly from the line. Ours is a small kitchen with a focused menu and real attention to quality. You'll execute the menu, help develop new items with the Executive Chef, and make sure dine-in, takeout, and catering all hit the same standard. That means running orders, overseeing the team's execution, keeping prep on track, and mentoring staff to protect our standards without losing the personal touch that defines the cafe.
Our three core values shape everything we do: Authenticity, Respect, & Enthusiasm.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Line & Kitchen Operations
- Lead by example with warmth and hospitality, setting the tone for guest care
- Prep and execute station menu items to standard - portioning, cooking methods, plating, and garnish
- Keep food timely, consistent, and simultaneous across tickets
- Think on your feet - solve problems as they come up and keep service moving
- Address operational issues in real time, escalating to GM/Executive Chef as appropriate
- Oversee product rotation, butchery, portion control, and inventory/temp logs
- Place orders as needed for upcoming service and production
- Prioritize tickets, manage workflow, and troubleshoot bottlenecks in real time; escalate to GM/Exec Chef when needed
Cleanliness & Food Safety- Directly and via delegation
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe kitchen; ensure daily/weekly cleaning tasks (including trash area) are completed
- Organize walk-in and storage shelves (directly or via delegation)
- Keep opening/closing logs current so the next shift knows what's prepped and what's 86'd
- Model excellent food safety habits and equipment care; log maintenance needs in MaintainX
- Monitor prep levels and usage to avoid shortages, over-prep, or waste
- Uphold recipe and execution standards across all channels - dine-in, catering, delivery
Team Development & Hiring
- Support training so new hires feel confident and capable
- Assist GM with BOH coaching, accountability, hiring, and onboarding of BOH team members
- Model reliability in attendance, communication, and work ethic
- Maintain positive, professional relationships across FOH and BOH
Required Skills and Abilities:
- 1-2 years of supervisory experience in a cafe, restaurant, or kitchen environment
- A genuine passion for great food, seasonal produce, specialty coffee, and local sourcing
- Strong leadership and communication skills with a coach's mentality and the ability to give feedback with compassion and directness
- A natural ability to anticipate the needs of guests and the team
- Comfortable using Toast POS and Google Workspace for daily reporting, ordering, and inventory
- Dedication to creating a positive, productive environment that reflects our culture and standards
- Proactive and self-motivated, with strong integrity and a collaborative mindset
- Practical knowledge of how to manage labor, waste, and food costs to support the kitchen's success
- Experience with scheduling, labor compliance, and basic HR responsibilities like training and coaching
- Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation; ServSafe Manager certification required
- A proactive, reliable leader who stays composed and professional during busy shifts
- Organized and accurate when it comes to ordering, inventory counts, and shift documentation
- Energized by ambitious goals and always looking for ways to improve
- Flexible availability, including mornings, weekends, and holidays
Physical Requirements:
- High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hours
- Ability to occasionally lift, move, and transport furniture, equipment, and deliveries up to 50 pounds
Disclaimer: This description includes essential functions. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with California law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. ALMA offers reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities.
