Kitchen Manager - Puyallup in PUYALLUP, Washington at TRAPPERS SUSHI INC PUYALLUP

Here we grow again!

NOTE: Applicants must live in the Puyallup, WA area. We do not offer relocation assistance for this role.

We're looking for a Kitchen Manager who is organized, hands-on, and people-focused.

You're someone who leads from the line. You set the standard for food quality and cleanliness, coach your team in real time, and keep the kitchen running smoothly even on the busiest nights. You thrive in a high-volume restaurant environment and can balance quality, ticket times, food safety, inventory, and labor without losing sight of your people.

You're comfortable partnering with the General Manager and front-of-house leaders, holding your team to clear expectations, and making sound decisions under pressure. You enjoy developing cooks, solving problems, and building a kitchen team that takes pride in what it puts on the plate.

If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a real impact, grow your career, and build toward restaurant ownership, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Lead kitchen preparation and service to meet Trapper's standards for quality, presentation, portioning, and ticket times.
• Assign stations and priorities, monitor the flow of orders, and adjust staffing or tasks as business needs change.
• Ensure recipes, prep procedures, labeling, storage, and product rotation are followed consistently.
• Address food quality concerns promptly and work with the General Manager to resolve guest issues.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen that meets company standards and health department requirements, and complete required kitchen checks and logs accurately.
• Train and monitor team members on safe food handling, temperature controls, sanitation, allergen procedures, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Keep equipment in safe working condition and report repair or maintenance needs promptly.
• Train, coach, and support kitchen team members, setting clear expectations for attendance, performance, teamwork, and conduct.
• Provide timely feedback and document performance or conduct concerns in partnership with the General Manager and Human Resources.
• Help identify staffing and training needs and participate in hiring and onboarding.
• Monitor inventory, place or assist with orders, and verify deliveries for quality and accuracy.
• Reduce waste through proper forecasting, preparation, storage, and rotation, and communicate shortage and spoilage trends to the General Manager.
• Support labor planning and scheduling while following company timekeeping and break procedures.
• Create a respectful workplace where team members feel comfortable raising concerns and receiving direction.
• Uphold Trapper's Sushi's TRAPCHK core values: Teamwork, Respect, Accountability, Passion, Communication, Honesty, and Kindness.
• Perform other related duties and support business needs as assigned.

What's In It for You
Compensation: $32.00 - $34.00 per hour. As a management position, the Kitchen Manager does not participate in tips.

• Eligible for the Semiannual Management Bonus Plan (subject to plan terms and performance requirements).
• Medical insurance: coverage begins the first of the month following two consecutive months of full-time employment. Trapper's covers 80% of the premium for employee-only coverage on the PPO 1000 plan.
• Paid vacation starting at two weeks per year and increasing with tenure up to four weeks, per company policy.
• DailyPay access, allowing eligible employees to access earned wages before payday.
• 401(k) retirement plan, eligible after one year of continuous employment (subject to plan terms).
• Voluntary dental and vision coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid sick leave in accordance with Washington state and local laws.
• A complimentary meal while on shift, plus a 25% dining discount off duty that extends to your immediate family.
• Food Protection Manager certification provided and paid for by Trapper's.
• Leadership development and advancement opportunities.
• A pathway to become a Managing Partner and pursue restaurant ownership through our ownership program.
• A supportive, collaborative, and people-first culture where your contributions matter.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of experience in a high-volume restaurant kitchen, including experience training or leading others.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, inventory control, and kitchen operations.
• Ability to stay organized, make sound decisions during busy service, and address problems promptly.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to coach team members with consistency and respect.
• Experience using scheduling, timekeeping, and inventory systems (Toast and 7shifts experience a plus).
• Washington State Food Worker Card required, or must be obtained within 14 days of beginning work.
• Food Protection Manager certification (such as ServSafe Manager) preferred; must be obtained after hire if not already held.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.

The Physical Stuff

• Kitchen-based position in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and move throughout the kitchen.
• Ability to regularly bend, reach, twist, push, and pull.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with or without assistance.
• Ability to safely operate knives and other commercial kitchen equipment.
• Exposure to hot surfaces, sharp tools, cleaning chemicals, wet surfaces, walk-in coolers and freezers, and moderate-to-high noise levels.
• Use of required PPE, including non-slip footwear.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Compliance and Equal Opportunity
This position is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state law. This position is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Trapper's Sushi is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This applies to all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and disciplinary action.

Trapper's Sushi will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for other protected needs as required by applicable law.

This posting describes the general nature and primary responsibilities of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.