Kitchen Manager/Head Chef

The Fox & Pantry | Plymouth, MN
Full-Time | Approximately 40 Hours per Week
Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 2:00 PM-Close
Closing time is typically around 9:00 PM, with some variation depending on business needs.

The Fox & Pantry is looking for a dependable, experienced Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to take ownership of our kitchen during the afternoon and evening hours.

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys food, takes pride in a clean and organized kitchen, and notices the small details that keep a food operation running smoothly. This role combines hands-on cooking and prep with kitchen management responsibilities, including food ordering, inventory awareness, food safety, organization, and evening leadership.

This is a hands-on position. The right person should be comfortable moving between prepping food, cooking, checking inventory, placing orders, maintaining quality standards, directing kitchen priorities, and making sure the kitchen is fully prepared for the following day.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen operations during the afternoon and evening shift
• Prepare and cook menu items consistently and to The Fox & Pantry's standards
• Take ownership of food ordering and communicate purchasing needs accurately and on time
• Monitor inventory levels, pars, shortages, and upcoming needs
• Complete and oversee daily food prep
• Ensure the kitchen is properly stocked and prepared for the following day's service
• Maintain strong organization, labeling, rotation, storage, and cleanliness standards
• Ensure food-safety procedures and temperature requirements are consistently followed
• Monitor food quality, presentation, portioning, and consistency
• Help reduce unnecessary food waste while ensuring adequate product is prepared
• Communicate clearly with management and other kitchen and team members
• Identify opportunities to improve recipes, prep procedures, organization, and kitchen efficiency
• Take ownership when something is running low, incomplete, or not meeting standards rather than waiting to be asked
• Provide leadership during evening operations and help keep the team organized and on task
• Maintain a clean, efficient, and professional kitchen throughout the shift

What We're Looking For

• Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification preferred, or willingness to begin certification upon hire
• Previous professional kitchen and cooking experience
• Kitchen leadership, chef, sous chef, or kitchen-management experience strongly preferred
• Experience with food ordering and inventory management
• English and Spanish language skills preferred
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent organization and time-management skills
• Ability to independently prioritize prep and kitchen needs
• Dependable and comfortable taking ownership of a department
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Genuine passion for food and maintaining high standards
• Ability to work efficiently in a busy environment while maintaining cleanliness and consistency
• Comfortable giving direction, following up on tasks, and maintaining standards in a positive and professional way

Schedule

This is a full-time position of approximately 40 hours per week, working Tuesday through Saturday from 2:00 PM through close.

The kitchen typically closes around 9:00 PM, although the exact end time may vary depending on service, prep, closing responsibilities, and business needs.

Consistent Tuesday-Saturday availability is an important part of this role.

Interview Process

Because this is a hands-on culinary leadership position, final candidates will be asked to complete a practical cooking assessment and prepare a meal as part of the interview process.

This gives us an opportunity to see the candidate's cooking ability, organization, food knowledge, attention to detail, cleanliness, time management, and overall approach in the kitchen.

About the Role

We are looking for someone who wants to take real ownership of the kitchen—not simply complete a list of assigned tasks.

The ideal candidate will care deeply about food quality, recognize what needs to be done before being asked, maintain strong organization and food-safety standards, communicate effectively with the rest of the team, and help us continually improve how the kitchen operates.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys both cooking and leadership and wants to play an important role in the day-to-day food program at The Fox & Pantry.

Pay: $47,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person