Kitchen Manager

After Chicago, led by three-Michelin-starred Chef Curtis Duffy, is seeking a dedicated and highly organized individual to join our Back of House leadership team.

We are currently hiring for a Kitchen Manager.

You are a passionate back-of-house leader who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-driven kitchen environment. You have strong organizational skills, a calm leadership style, and the ability to support daily operations while maintaining high standards of food quality, cleanliness, communication, and team accountability.

This position will also help oversee events for Canvas, our private event space. The ideal candidate is comfortable supporting both daily restaurant operations and event execution, ensuring that prep, organization, communication, timing, and standards are maintained across all services.

You enjoy working as part of a team and take pride in helping others improve their skills, consistency, and professionalism. Your ability to multi-task, anticipate needs, and keep the kitchen moving efficiently is one of your strongest qualities. You understand the importance of maintaining standards while supporting both the team and the guest experience.

Essential Functions

Oversee daily kitchen operations and support service execution
Ensure all menu items are prepared according to prescribed recipes, standards, and special requests
Maintain organization, cleanliness, and readiness of all kitchen areas
Support ordering, receiving, inventory, prep lists, and par levels
Available to work a variety of hours, days, and shifts, including weekends
Safely and effectively use and operate all necessary tools and equipment, including knives
Effectively communicate written and spoken direction to the culinary team
Multi-task calmly and effectively in a busy, high-pressure environment
Work in a confined, crowded space of variable noise and temperature levels
Able to move and lift up to 10 pounds, frequently move and/or lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds
Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift and move safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven or slick surfaces

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Lead and support the back-of-house team during prep and service
Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality standards at all times
Monitor prep production, portioning controls, par levels, and waste
Assist with ordering, receiving, inventory, and product rotation
Ensure proper labeling, dating, storage, and organization of all products
Maintain menu item counts and communicate shortages or concerns to management and service staff
Communicate food delays, operational issues, maintenance needs, or staffing concerns to management
Support training and development of back-of-house team members
Ensure the team understands and follows food allergy procedures, special orders, and dietary restrictions
Accurately account for product usage, waste, and station readiness
Hold team members accountable to kitchen standards, policies, procedures, and expectations
Comply with all safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures
Follow all rules, policies, procedures, and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
Maintain a professional, respectful, and team-focused work environment
Other duties will be assigned as needed

Located in the West Loop. Dinner service, Tuesday through Saturday.

Please note: Serious inquiries only. A commitment of at least one year is expected.

Compensation Details

Compensation: Salary, $80k (negotiable)

Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401k

Required Skills

Strong work ethic
Kitchen leadership experience
Attention to detail
Organization and cleanliness
Inventory and ordering knowledge
Food safety and sanitation knowledge
Ability to work under pressure
Adaptability to varying work hours and shifts
Time management skills
Problem-solving skills
Team motivation and leadership
Ability to communicate clearly with management and staff
Ability to train and support team members
Physical stamina
Ability to handle stress
Ability to follow and enforce instructions
Collaboration skills
Understanding of food allergies and special requests
Commitment to consistency, accountability, and high standards

Salary : $80,000