Kitchen Manager

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Malai is a Brooklyn-based super premium ice cream company that focuses on robust South Asian flavors and whole quality ingredients. Since 2015, we have been introducing high-end, luxurious ice cream with unique flavors like Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, Masala Chai, Orange Fennel and Sweet Roti & Ghee. We hold our business to the highest standards in every aspect from sourcing only the best ingredients to producing top quality products to providing the best customer service and hospitality. Our products are currently available at our brick and mortar shop in Brooklyn, our outpost in Pier 57, on the High Line, our upcoming store in D.C., through nationwide shipping, and in many grocery stores across the Northeast and Mid Atlantic. In our eighth year of business, we are quickly growing our retail, wholesale, and e-commerce operations, and have plans to expand outside of NYC. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-moving company at a growth stage, make a real impact, and help shape our future and direction.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Malai is hiring a Kitchen Manager to oversee all aspects of day-to-day production for all operations, including our stores in NYC, our upcoming store in Washington, DC, one seasonal retail location, fulfillment and catering.  This role will report directly to the Director of Operations and is responsible for leading daily production efforts, including daily execution, recipe development, anticipating demand, recruiting and managing a growing team and ensuring a positive and consistent customer experience through our product. They will represent Malai in the highest regards in all activities within Malai and outside of Malai.

This is a great opportunity for a highly experienced individual to work closely with a quickly growing team  as we embark on our next phase of growth, within New York City and beyond. The ideal candidate is someone who has experience operating growing kitchen operations, has excellent kitchen organizational skills, loves building, training and leading teams, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment.

What You Will Do:

Manage day-to-day production, including:

• Overseeing daily execution, ensuring that stores and fulfillment are never out of stock, and managing a kitchen team consisting of Assistant Kitchen Managers, Team Leads and Pastry Assistants 
• Overseeing logistics from production space to all retail locations 
• Executing catering events, including menu testing, and production
• Maintaining Department of Health and Department of Agriculture standards
• Creating and managing staffing schedules for kitchen team 
• Performing and overseeing regular maintenance of equipment
• Overseeing inventory and purchasing
• Follow all recipes and presentation specifics (including but not limited to: standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards & ingredients) as set forth by company standards; holding all team members accountable to the same 

Ensure appropriate staffing levels for production for all channels by recruiting, selecting and training employees

Maintain overall performance by monitoring job results, and coaching, disciplining and terminating employees

Cultivate an inclusive culture and positive and clean environment for all team members and customers

Work with Director of Operations to achieve financial objectives by monitoring sales targets, maintaining budgets, reducing COGS, and properly forecasting labor

Uphold brand values, and excellent standard of product quality

Work with Director of Operations to address all kitchen equipment maintenance issues through proper channels

Coordinate closely with marketing and operations teams on items including but not limited to the launch of new menu items or promotions

Work with the Director of Operations and CEO on larger initiatives related to launches, new flavor development, recipe testing and cookbook testing

Maintain and execute an environment that is up to NYC Department of Health standards, as well as oversee inspection

Create long lasting and efficient systems that can take the company to the next level of growth

What We Are Looking For:

• 3-5 years of prior kitchen supervisory and recipe development experience in a food/beverage environment
• NYC Food Protection Certificate required
• Ability to multitask  
• Ability to calmly and appropriately handle the unexpected 
• Excellent organizational skills
• Self starter 
• Collaborative spirit and commitment to Malai’s core values
• A strong team member who will elevate those around you and always be willing to step up when help is needed

Schedule:

• Full-time; with weekend and evening availability required

Benefits:

• Dynamic work environment with a warm and supportive team
• Paid time off 
• Opportunity for subsidized health care
• Opportunity for career development