Culinary Experience Manager - Marina Beach, SF (marina / cow hollow)

Culinary Experience Manager Marina Beach—opening in San Francisco’s scenic Marina District this October—is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented back-of-house Culinary Experience Manager to lead and inspire our team. Join us as we build something special, rooted in creativity, community, and care. Why Work with Us? We’re not here to do “business as usual.” Marina Beach is reimagining what a wine bar can be — turning it into a creative platform where food, wine, and culture collide. Our space is alive with rotating chefs who bring fresh voices and bold flavors, transforming the kitchen into a stage for experimentation and collaboration. Our roots stretch to a biodynamic farm, grounding us in sustainability and transparency while keeping us connected to the bigger picture of food, land, and community. On the wine side, we break through the traditional barriers of the industry — showcasing low-intervention bottles, uplifting independent winemakers, and curating experiences that spark curiosity rather than intimidation. This isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about belonging. Whether you’re a seasoned wine pro or just starting your journey, Marina Beach is a place where everyone is invited into the story. Position Overview This isn’t your typical back-of-house leadership role—it’s an invitation to be the steady hand and creative spark behind a culinary program that’s personal, dynamic, and ever-evolving. As Culinary Experience Manager, you’ll keep the kitchen running smoothly day-to-day, but your role goes beyond operations. You’ll be the guardian of consistency and the space-maker for creativity, collaboration, and experimentation. You’ll bring together three essential threads: – Chef Residencies: Welcome and support visiting chefs, helping their ideas come alive while ensuring seamless onboarding, collaboration and experiences for our guests. – Founder-Led Menu: Protect and evolve a menu rooted in South Asian heritage and personal storytelling, balancing tradition with fresh growth. – Culture of Care: Lead a kitchen where quality, cleanliness, and organization reflect hospitality itself—not just boxes to check. Key Responsibilities – Collaborate with the Owner to design and evolve an inspiring, seasonal menu that reflects Marina Beach’s culinary identity – Collaborate with the Wine & Hospitality Manager to bring to life Marina Beach’s vision and values. – Generate original recipe ideas from scratch, rooted in flavor, creativity, and guest experience – Lead and mentor a small, cross-functional kitchen team, fostering collaboration, consistency, and care – Source, order, and receive the highest-quality, sustainable ingredients in alignment with our values and standards – Develop, document, and train team members on all recipes, techniques, and kitchen protocols – Oversee execution of all menu items from prep to plate, ensuring excellence at every stage – Supervise daily kitchen operations, ensuring quality standards and met – Manage storeroom operations, stock rotation, sanitation protocols and equipment maintenance – Receive and inspect all deliveries for accuracy, quality, and consistency – Communicate with vendors to address any discrepancies promptly to facilitate resolution – Maintain and optimize inventory systems to ensure appropriate stock levels, accurate ordering, and cost efficiency – Ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and organization across all prep, service, and storage areas – Provide direction for all team members in regards to quality standards, safety and sanitation, and company policies and procedures – Comply with all local and state Department of Health regulations in regard to Food Handling and Storage Requirements – 2+ years prior restaurant culinary leadership experience – Experience in high volume food production and kitchen operations – Demonstrated experience with tracking, managing, and reporting on kitchen operation financials – Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment including mixer, slicer, ovens, grills, and knives – Ability to lift up to 50 lbs – Deep knowledge of natural wines, beverage programs, and food pairings is a nice to have – Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a team. – Adaptability to work with rotating chefs and manage new culinary programs. – Strong problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. Why You’ll Love it Here – A mission-driven company with values you can stand behind – Build critical skills to grow in this role (and beyond) in our monthly leadership training – Receive monthly 1:1 professional coaching with a Berkeley Certified Coach – Medical, dental, and vision coverage – Paid sick time and generous paid time off – Clear pathways for growth and professional development – Competitive compensation – Staff discount on wines – Referral bonuses: get rewarded for helping us build a stellar team – Holidays off to recharge – Employee appreciation lunches and dinners – Monthly team outings to build connection and culture As We Grow, You Grow Marina Beach is more than a wine bar — it's the first chapter in a larger story. Our vision is to scale this concept to new locations and expand into lifestyle experiences that inspire connection. Joining us now means growing with us — shaping not just one space, but a movement. To Apply If you're ready to co-create the future of hospitality, we can’t wait to meet you. Please shoot heather@marinabeach.wine a resume and thoughtful email outlining why you’re the best fit for our budding team.