Kitchen & Culinary Operations Manager

Des Moines, Iowa

Up to 80k

We are looking for a creative, driven, and experienced Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen and help build the next chapter of our food program. It is an opportunity to bring fresh ideas, create a stronger menu, refine systems, grow sales, and make a visible impact inside a one-of-a-kind hospitality concept.

We are a unique dog park, bar, canine resort and hospitality destination built around great experiences for both people and their dogs. As the Kitchen Manager, this person will help shape a food program that matches the energy of the brand while supporting public events, catering opportunities, and future growth as the company expands.

We are a fast-casual but elevated environment. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-moving operation and wants to grow with an expanding brand. The right candidate will bring both creativity and discipline: someone who can dream up new ideas, execute them well, create and maintain the right structure and keep the numbers in line.

What This Role Will Own

·        Build and lead a refreshed food program, including menu development, recipe creation, pricing, portioning, and plating standards.

·        Give the kitchen a fresh start by improving food quality, consistency, and overall guest appeal.

·        Run daily kitchen operations, including prep, service, sanitation, workflow, and staff accountability.

·        Monitor food cost and labor percentages closely, making adjustments that protect margins while supporting sales growth.

·        Increase food sales through smart menu design, operational consistency, and strong execution.

·        Handle catering and event-related food projects, from planning and prep to staffing and delivery.

·        Maintain readiness for health inspections and oversee all food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance requirements.

·        Manage inventory, ordering, receiving, vendor coordination, and waste control.

·        Refine kitchen SOPs and identify efficiencies that improve consistency, speed, and profitability.

·        Work alongside the Bar Manager to support public events and create smooth coordination between the kitchen and bar teams.

·        Train new kitchen staff and continue developing the team through clear expectations, systems, and leadership.

What We're Looking For

·        Prior experience successfully running kitchen operations in a restaurant, bar, hospitality venue, catering environment, or other high-volume food setting.

·        Strong menu development skills, including recipe building, costing, and understanding what sells.

·        A solid grasp of food cost control, labor management, inventory systems, and operational efficiency.

·        Confidence leading a team, setting standards, and holding people accountable.

·        Working knowledge of health code requirements, inspections, and regulatory compliance.

·        A creative mindset paired with strong organizational and financial discipline.

·        Someone who wants more than a routine kitchen job and is excited by the chance to help grow something distinctive.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

·        Salary of $60,000 to $80,000, based on prior experience running kitchen operations.

·        Real opportunity to help rebuild and shape the food program rather than simply inherit it.

·        A unique hospitality setting that is far from a standard restaurant environment.

·        The chance to grow with a brand that is actively expanding and values people who want to build with it.

·        A leadership role with meaningful influence on operations, events, food quality, and future direction.

The Right Candidate

The best fit for this role is someone who likes bringing order to a kitchen, takes pride in a strong guest experience, and still enjoys the creative side of food. This person should be energized by a unique environment, comfortable balancing vision with execution, and motivated by the idea of growing alongside a business that is continuing to expand.

Send your resumes to jcameron@geckohospitality.com