Kitchen Manager

Job Description: Kitchen Manager

Columbia Yacht Club – Chicago, IL

Position Overview

The Kitchen Manager at Columbia Yacht Club (CYC) is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the "Abegweit" galley and supporting culinary facilities. This role demands a leader who can balance the unique logistical challenges of a high-volume floating clubhouse with the premium service standards expected by our membership. You will ensure consistent food quality, manage kitchen staff, and maintain rigorous safety and sanitation standards while fostering a collaborative, high-energy environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Culinary & Quality Excellence

• Oversee the preparation and execution of all menu items, ensuring they meet CYC standards for taste, presentation, and temperature.

• Conduct daily line checks and taste tests to maintain consistency across lunch, dinner, and banquet services.

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on seasonal menu updates and daily specials that reflect member preferences.

2. Operational Management

• Manage daily kitchen workflows, including prep lists, station assignments, and inventory rotation.

• Oversee ordering and receiving of food and supplies, ensuring quality control and cost-effective purchasing.

• Maintain a highly organized "ship-shape" kitchen, maximizing efficiency within the unique layout of the club.

3. Team Leadership

• Schedule, train, and supervise back-of-house staff, including line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers.

• Foster a professional culture rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure all team members adhere to club policies and uniform standards.

4. Safety & Sanitation

• Enforce strict adherence to Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations and food safety protocols.

• Maintain a pristine kitchen environment, overseeing regular deep-cleaning schedules for equipment and storage areas.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in kitchen management or a Lead Line Cook role, preferably within a private club, high-end hotel, or high-volume restaurant.

• Certifications: Must hold a valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in kitchen math (inventory, food costing) and familiarity with POS systems and inventory management software.

• Leadership: Strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm and decisive during high-pressure service windows.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to navigate the unique stairs and levels of a ship, stand for long periods, and lift up to 50 lbs.

• Prepare menu items according to prescribed recipes and/or special requests
• Available to work a variety of hours, days and shifts, including weekends
• Safely and effectively use and operate all necessary tools and equipment, including knives
• Ability to effectively communicate in order to perform and follow job requirements in written and spoken directions
• Ability to multitask calmly and effectively in a busy, stressful environment
• Work in a confined, crowded space of variable noise and temperature levels
• Able to move and lift up to 10 pounds, frequently move and/or lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift and move safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven or slick surfaces

Why Work at Columbia Yacht Club?

• The Setting: Work on one of the most iconic vessels on the Chicago lakefront with unparalleled views of the skyline.

• The Community: Engage with a dedicated membership and a professional team committed to being the "gem of the lake."

• Growth: Opportunities for professional development within a prestigious private club environment.