Kitchen Manager

Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge - PM Kitchen Manager

At the Wayfarer Restaurant, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional dining experiences through fresh, high-quality cuisine and genuine hospitality. As an OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award Winner, we are known not only for our food, but also for the dedicated team behind it — with some employees proudly calling the Wayfarer home for over 20 years.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated PM Kitchen Manager to lead our evening culinary operations in a fast-paced, scratch-kitchen environment focused on local and seasonal ingredients.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on leader who is passionate about food, thrives under pressure, and enjoys mentoring and developing a team.

Schedule & Compensation

• Salary: $70,000 annually
• Days Off: Monday & Tuesday

Benefits & Perks

As a valued Team Member, you will enjoy:

• Health benefits
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• 401(k) plan
• Bonus plan opportunity
• Vesta Hospitality hotel discounts
• A culture driven by our seven core Values
• Opportunities for growth and professional development

Position Overview

The PM Kitchen Manager oversees evening kitchen operations, ensuring every dish meets the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation. This role works closely with both kitchen and front-of-house teams to create an exceptional guest experience while maintaining an organized, efficient, and positive kitchen culture.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who can balance operational excellence with team mentorship and coaching.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee evening kitchen operations
• Ensure food quality, consistency, portioning, and presentation standards
• Train, mentor, and support kitchen staff development
• Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure smooth service execution
• Monitor inventory, ordering, and food cost awareness
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety compliance
• Assist with menu planning and recipe development
• Support operational improvements and kitchen efficiency initiatives

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong ability to multitask and plan kitchen activities effectively
• Working knowledge of kitchen equipment, food handling, and safety regulations
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Ability to motivate and mentor a primarily Spanish-speaking kitchen team
• Basic Spanish language skills preferred
• Comfortable working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Passion for quality food and team development

Qualifications

• Oregon Food Handler Certification required
• Culinary school certification or Restaurant Management degree preferred
• Prior kitchen leadership or management experience strongly preferred

Physical & General Requirements

Candidates must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

If you are a dedicated culinary leader ready to join a respected coastal restaurant with a strong culture and passionate team, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to apply.