Benny’s is a neighborhood restaurant in Portland, Maine, rooted in Philly-inspired, Italian-American food and a straightforward approach to hospitality: make it good, make it consistent, and make people feel welcome. We care deeply about quality and execution, without the need for flash. We’re proud to be a spot that locals rely on—whether for a weeknight dinner, a quick bite at the bar, or a place to catch up with friends.
As our Kitchen Manager, you are the pulse of our operation—overseeing seamless service, championing top-tier quality, and cultivating a supportive, team-first culture. You’ll lead our prep team, dishwashers, and cooks, guiding their daily workflows and mentoring them toward success. Reporting directly to the Owner, you will collaborate with our GM and Bar Lead to uphold our core standards, sharpen efficiency, and ensure every guest enjoys the consistent experience we’re known for.
We are looking for someone with a genuine love for leadership and a straightforward, no-drama attitude. While we keep the atmosphere light, we are deeply committed to maintaining high standards throughout the restaurant.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and inspire the kitchen team, including dishwashers, prep cooks, line cooks, and the lead cook.
Provide regular coaching, constructive feedback, and performance management to set the team up for success.
Maintain top-tier recipe execution and consistency across all menu items.
Manage inventory of ingredients, supplies, and kitchen tools with care.
Handle purchasing while remaining mindful of budgets and financial targets.
Keep the kitchen sparkling by upholding strict cleanliness and maintenance standards.
Monitor kitchen equipment and coordinate repairs to keep operations running smoothly.
Enforce health, safety, and sanitation compliance to the highest degree.
Manage prep and production flow during service to meet our quality and timing benchmarks.
Troubleshoot operational challenges in real-time to ensure seamless service.
Support the team in navigating high-volume and high-pressure situations with a cool head.
Partner with leadership to align kitchen operations with front-of-house and overall business goals.
Qualifications
3-5+ years of experience as a Kitchen Manager, Lead Cook, or in a similar leadership role within a full-service restaurant.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and uplift a diverse team.
Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities.
Proficiency in inventory management, ordering, and smart scheduling.
In-depth knowledge of kitchen safety, sanitation, and equipment care.
A proactive, creative approach to problem-solving and efficiency.
Warm communication and interpersonal skills to help build a great team culture.
Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
This full-time role (typically 40-50 hours per week) offers a competitive salary and great perks, including earned paid leave and staff dining discounts at both Benny’s and Ramona’s. We are committed to maintaining a safe, professional, and drug-and alcohol-free workplace.
To apply, please reply to the email provided with your resume. We’d also love to hear a little about you—include a few short paragraphs sharing what excites you about joining the team at Benny’s. Then, share one aspect of workplace culture that really matters to you (for example: teamwork, communication, accountability, etc.). Please give an example of how you personally help contribute to that kind of environment on a team.
