Culinary Manager – Zov's San Clemente
Zov's is looking for an experienced and passionate Culinary Manager to lead kitchen operations at our San Clemente location. This is a hands-on leadership role for a culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in quality, and knows how to build and inspire a great team.
About the Role
As Culinary Manager, you'll oversee all back-of-house operations — from food quality and sanitation to staffing, scheduling, and cost management. You'll report to the General Manager on operational matters and collaborate closely with our Senior Culinary Director on all culinary-related decisions, including any recipe or menu changes.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising all BOH staff — line cooks, prep teams, dishwashers, and expo/runners
Maintaining Zov's standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and kitchen equipment
Managing food and labor costs to meet or exceed budget targets
Working with purchasing to maintain par levels and minimize waste and spoilage
Overseeing inventory controls, ordering systems, and vendor relationships
Partnering with front-of-house leadership to deliver a seamless, exceptional guest experience
Leading pre-shift meetings and staff development initiatives
Conducting performance reviews, providing coaching, and promoting growth from within
Fostering a respectful, team-oriented kitchen culture built on continuous improvement
What We're Looking For
Proven experience in kitchen management or a senior culinary leadership role
Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and kitchen operations
Solid understanding of food and labor cost management
Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays
A collaborative mindset and commitment to team and guest excellence
Schedule & Commitment
This is a full-time salaried position requiring approximately 50–55 hours per week, scheduled 5 days a week including weekends.
If you're ready to bring your culinary leadership to a beloved brand with deep roots in quality and hospitality, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply, please reply to this posting with your resume and a brief note about your culinary management experience.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.