We are looking for a skilled, hands-on Kitchen Manager to join our team at Hen House. In this role, you'll oversee daily back-of-house operations within our deli-ensuring food quality, efficient workflow, and a well-supported team-while delivering fresh, high-quality ready-to-eat offerings that meet guest expectations and drive department success.
At Hen House, we're more than a grocery store-we're a team committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences through quality products, strong teamwork, and consistent execution. As part of the Balls Food Stores family, we offer the stability of a locally owned company with deep community roots.
This is a great fit for someone who leads by example, thrives in a fast-paced kitchen environment, and takes ownership of food quality, safety, and team performance.
Key Responsibilities & Job Duties
- Provide friendly, helpful, and respectful guest service while ensuring a positive food service experience
- Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and product presentation
- Ensure timely production of deli items such as sandwiches, salads, hot foods, grab-and-go meals, and catering orders
- Maintain efficient kitchen workflow during peak service hours and support overall department execution
- Monitor portion control, product consistency, and minimize food waste
- Supervise and direct team members, ensuring accountability, productivity, and consistent execution
- Train team members on recipes, prep procedures, food safety, and sanitation standards
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment at all times
- Enforce all food safety, sanitation, labeling, and rotation standards to ensure compliance
- Prepare for and support health inspections and ensure adherence to all local regulations
- Manage inventory levels, order supplies, and track product usage to support availability and reduce shrink
- Support food and labor cost control efforts in partnership with department leadership
- Ensure consistency in recipes, food quality, and presentation standards
- Assist with menu execution, seasonal items, and continuous improvement of offerings
- Support scheduling, task delegation, and shift execution to meet operational needs
- Communicate clearly with store leadership and collaborate across departments to support store goals
- Adhere to all company policies and procedures, including attendance, conduct, and safety standards
- Support loss prevention efforts and maintain awareness of cost controls
- Remain hands-on and productive during all shifts, stepping in as needed to support the team
- Other job duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Required: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience
- Required: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Required: 2+ years of kitchen, deli, or prepared foods experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities
- Preferred: Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations
- Preferred: Experience with inventory management, ordering, and food cost control