Kitchen Manager for Mamahuhu (santa clara)

About Mamahuhu Mamahuhu is a San Francisco-based restaurant and consumer goods company bringing people together through Chinese-American cuisine — rooted in tradition and elevated through quality, sustainability, and care. Founded by Anmao Sun, Ben Moore, and Brandon Jew (James Beard Award-winning chef of Mister Jiu’s), we serve delicious, accessible food in a fast-casual setting while fostering strong communities and a regenerative workplace culture. We’re thrilled to be opening our fourth Mamahuhu location in Palo Alto, located in the heart of Town & Country Village! We’re searching for a passionate Kitchen Manager to lead our Back of House team in close collaboration with our General Manager. This role will work directly with our Restaurant Opener to help build the team, set up systems, and get everything ready for a successful opening day. Who You AreYou're a hands-on leader who thrives in fast-paced kitchen environments and brings a deep care for people, food, and doing things the right way. You’re: Gritty: You push through challenges and stay focused on long-term goals. Accountable & reliable: You show up, follow through, and hold high standards for yourself and others. People-first: You invest in your team’s growth and well-being. Solutions-oriented: You act with urgency, clarity, and calm under pressure. A clear communicator: You’re respectful, kind, and direct — across cultures and languages. Team-minded: You prioritize collaboration and a “we over me” approach. Passionate about food: You take pride in consistency, quality, and inspiring your team through great food. Job OverviewThe Kitchen Manager (KM) leads the Back of House team and oversees all kitchen operations, quality control, team development, and cost management. This role is both strategic and hands-on. You are responsible for building a strong kitchen culture that lives out Mamahuhu’s mission and core values every day.Key ResponsibilitiesBOH Leadership & Culture Recruit, train, and mentor BOH team members. Build and maintain a positive, values-driven kitchen culture. Conduct one-on-ones and provide regular coaching and feedback. Lead by example during peak service and prep times. Operational Excellence Ensure food quality and consistency through tastings and kitchen walkthroughs. Manage BOH scheduling, call-outs, timecards, and labor to meet business needs. Oversee prep systems, storage, inventory, and vendor ordering. Ensure full compliance with food safety and sanitation standards. Financial Accountability Hit weekly food and labor cost targets in alignment with company goals. Participate in P&L reviews and create action plans to address challenges. Work with the GM to control waste, optimize systems, and improve margins. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with FOH leads to ensure smooth service and communication. Train FOH/BOH on systems that improve hospitality and speed. Maintain equipment and kitchen organization in partnership with the leadership team. Opening Our Newest Location: Mamahuhu Palo Alto Partner with the Restaurant Opener to design kitchen layout and storage systems. Hire and onboard new BOH team members. Implement SOPs for production, cleanliness, safety, and efficiency. Lead menu tastings, test services, and team training prior to opening. Qualifications 5+ years of kitchen experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role. ServSafe Manager Certification required (or ability to obtain). Fluent in English; Spanish fluency is a plus. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Comfort with restaurant technology and basic troubleshooting. Benefits Starting salary: $70,000–$75,000 annually, based on experience Health, dental, vision, and chiropractic insurance (75% employer covered) $1,000 annual wellness stipend Unlimited sick days and 2 weeks PTO Job Type: Full-time Benefits: Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance License/Certification: Driver's License (Preferred) Shift availability: Day Shift (Required) Night Shift (Required) Work Location: In person