Food Service - Kitchen Manager

At SSA, we believe our work matters because the people do. For more than 50 years, we've helped create experiences that leave people feeling connected, inspired, and reminded that fun still matters. We partner with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey. Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

About the role

Reports to: Food Service Operations Manager(s) and Executive Chef. This is a full-time, non-exempt position eligible for overtime pay.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Ensure restaurant is adequately prepped and staffed (BOH) for daily operation.
• Oversee location kitchen duties, ensuring quick-service, food service, safety, and quality standards are met and exceeded.
• Oversee safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste.
• Ensure proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove use with staff.
• Support SSAfety training with knife handling skills, ensuring all direct reports display proper use of knives and slicers.
• Create daily prep and items lists, delegating to employees as necessary.
• Actively support operations and fill gaps to ensure smooth service.
• Maintain a checklist of routine or daily cleaning tasks and ongoing projects or menu planning.
• Assign associates to duties, coaching through projects, daily tasks, and guest interaction.
• Actively and efficiently respond to guest and client feedback, reporting to the operations manager to mitigate potential complaints.
• Oversee personnel duties, including:
  • Training new employees and issuing performance reviews.
  • Managing and issuing progressive documentation to coach and counsel employees on performance with oversight from the operations manager.
  • Reporting employee attendance and hour discrepancies to the payroll department.
  • Overseeing break and rest break management for BOH employees.
• Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Assist the team to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner by helping complete daily tasks as needed.
• Communicate up to the Regional Executive Chef and Food Service Operations Manager regarding any issues with daily service or quality.
• Work directly with restaurant supervisor(s) to ensure respective locations operate to standard.
• Remain knowledgeable of and supervise in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the team, focusing on removing barriers and empowering growth at all levels.
• Lead by example through sustainability and conservation efforts, teaching unit staff as necessary.
• Engage with SSA/unit in driving community efforts through engagement activities.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to General Manager and personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of team building and development, fostering partnerships with other managers.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrated multi-tasking, detail orientation, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat, energetic, takes initiative, and uses tact and diplomacy.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35 lbs) as necessary, including lifting.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off plan: up to 144 hours based on tenure.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and other voluntary benefits for you and your family (employee premiums applicable).
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (eligibility: 21 years or older, one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, enrollment during Open Enrollment Periods).
• SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Leave and serious medical conditions for you or your family.
• Up to 40 hours Paid Bereavement.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable.
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws, with accrual rates, caps, and usage rules varying by location:
  • Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.
  • Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year.
  • Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year.
  • Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.