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How to hire a kitchen assistant manager

Kitchen assistant manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring kitchen assistant managers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 148,219 kitchen assistant managers in the US, and there are currently 74,718 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a kitchen assistant manager is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per kitchen assistant manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Albuquerque, NM, has the highest demand for kitchen assistant managers, with 8 job openings.

How to hire a kitchen assistant manager, step by step

To hire a kitchen assistant manager, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a kitchen assistant manager:

Here's a step-by-step kitchen assistant manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a kitchen assistant manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new kitchen assistant manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a kitchen assistant manager do?

An assistant kitchen manager is in charge of a large establishment or restaurant when the manager is not around. They supervise all operations in the kitchen, monitor the performance of the staff, train the newly hired crew, and create an inventory report of all supplies. They must also ensure that clients expectations are met by providing them the best service. An assistant kitchen manager needs to be customer-oriented and detail-oriented, and they must also have management skills, critical thinking skills, and organizational skills.

Learn more about the specifics of what a kitchen assistant manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a kitchen assistant manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a kitchen assistant manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a kitchen assistant manager that fits the bill.

    This list presents kitchen assistant manager salaries for various positions.

    Type of Kitchen Assistant ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Kitchen Assistant Manager$13-24
    CatererA caterer is responsible for monitoring food preparation and presentation, ensuring the adequacy and accuracy of food stock based on the clients' specifications and guest count. Caterers often work with clients for special occasions and events, identify their needs, including the menu and nutritional requirements... Show more$10-17
    Shift LeaderShift leaders are tenured or experienced employees who are assigned to oversee employees in specific work shifts. They manage team members who are assigned in their shift... Show more$12-20
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food Service
    • Kitchen Equipment
    • Food Handling
    • Culinary
    • Safety Procedures
    • Product Quality
    • Labor Costs
    • Customer Complaints
    • Fifo
    • Slicers
    • Kitchen Operations
    • Safety Standards
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage BOH equipment and physical plant elements - including introduction and training on new equipment
    • Manage day to day culinary operations with exceptional food quality execution.
    • Help implement a BOH training program focuse on product consistency, freshness, and quality awareness.
    • Charge with the culinary development of each manager via corporate initiatives and personal interaction.
    • Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight for a full-service pizzeria.
    • Start as dishwasher doubling as bus boy when need, later promote to cook as a result of high performance reviews.
    More kitchen assistant manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the kitchen assistant manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A kitchen assistant manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a kitchen assistant manager in West Virginia may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level kitchen assistant manager. Additionally, a kitchen assistant manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average kitchen assistant manager salary

    $39,114yearly

    $18.80 hourly rate

    Entry-level kitchen assistant manager salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average kitchen assistant manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$56,588$27
    2Washington$49,051$24
    3Massachusetts$47,820$23
    4California$45,684$22
    5New Jersey$45,625$22
    6Florida$42,425$20
    7Pennsylvania$41,122$20
    8Oregon$40,944$20
    9Colorado$40,804$20
    10Virginia$40,547$19
    11Michigan$40,352$19
    12Nevada$38,025$18
    13Texas$37,964$18
    14Illinois$37,072$18
    15Indiana$36,904$18
    16Utah$36,879$18
    17Ohio$36,130$17
    18North Carolina$36,124$17
    19Georgia$34,497$17
    20Missouri$34,317$17

    Average kitchen assistant manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Logan's Roadhouse$46,656$22.431
    2Carrabba's$45,913$22.07
    3Ruth's Chris Steak House$44,219$21.26
    4Texas Roadhouse$43,570$20.95269
    5Arden Group$41,918$20.15
    6Goodwin Recruiting$41,527$19.96
    7Golden Corral$41,401$19.9043
    8Malone Insurance$41,359$19.88
    9Nantahala Outdoor Center$40,821$19.633
    10Market of Choice$40,796$19.618
    11PLUM$40,702$19.576
    12Vallarta Supermarkets$40,677$19.564
    13Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants$40,604$19.5214
    14TKC Holdings$40,348$19.403
    15Flix Entertainment$40,307$19.38
    16Falafel$40,307$19.38
    17Square One$40,185$19.328
    18Regal Cinemas Corp$40,007$19.2329
    19Patrice and Associates Franchising$39,909$19.19
    20One Up Enterprises$39,684$19.08
  4. Writing a kitchen assistant manager job description

    A kitchen assistant manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a kitchen assistant manager job description:

    Kitchen assistant manager job description example

    Plum Market - 3675 West Maple, Bloomfield Township Mi 48301

    Full Time position starting at $20/hr.

    Plum Market is an emerging leader in the Grocery Retail industry. We are committed to stocking the very best selections of All Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty Grocery items.

    Our Team Members are passionate about delivering the highest quality food, beverage, and grocery essentials to our Customers, helping them achieve a better lifestyle. We make our Team Members and our Customers our top priority by delivering the best possible Customer retail experience.

    Our Plum Market Grocery Stores are a reflection of the very communities we serve. From our Team Members to our Customers, local vendors and product selection, we are proud of the inclusive culture in which we thrive, and strive to promote at Plum Market. If you share our enthusiasm, please apply to see how you may fit in.

    Benefits of working at Plum Market:

    Full time & Part time positions available.

    We can offer a variety of retail shifts to work with your schedule.

    You can learn about great food and grow your passion at the same time.

    We provide exceptional training to help you grow your knowledge.

    Paid time and a half for working any of these five federally recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.

    Promotional opportunities. We are a growing company and you can grow with us!

    Variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits to cover you and/or your family.

    401k with company match after a 6 month waiting period.

    20% off Team Member Discount.

    50% off Team Member Lunch Discount.

    Plum Market offers a desirable and rewarding place to work.

    Employment is contingent on a successful background check.

    Must be over the age of 18 to apply.

    Description:

    The Prepared Foods Assistant Team Leader Front of House (FOH) is responsible for the execution of exceptional Guest Service by the entire Prepared Foods Department. They are responsible for supervising the service counters, overseeing catering sales and production. They will maintain all revenue centers which can include, pizza, carving station, showcases, foods bars, and grab and go; keeping them fresh, full and clean. They are responsible to deliver clear communication between the Back of House (BOH) and Front of House (FOH) Team Members to ensure a desirable and rewarding work environment. In addition, they will ensure all Team Members receive the proper training and feedback to execute at the highest level.

    Who you are:

    You have a passion for Plum Market; local, organic, all natural and specialty brands.

    You model and provide exceptional Guest Service to our Guests and Team Members.

    You have the experience and knowledge to balance the needs of the BOH, FOH and Catering at any given time.

    You have the courage to pursue new ideas, and make suggestions for improvement.

    You make an impact by accepting a challenge, working hard, being bold and, taking- action.

    You have an extreme eye for details and commitment to complete tasks.

    What you will bring:

    Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously as a detail-oriented and efficient person.

    Experience in a Leadership position, that includes proper rotation and labeling, food safety and sanitation, setting expectations, giving feedback and following thru on the needs of the Team.

    Catering Experience

    ServSafe Managerial certification preferred.

    Flexible and able to switch tasks quickly.

    Calm in stressful situations.

    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

    Proficient in Microsoft Suite.

    What you will do:

    Partner with the Team Leader, Chef de Cuisine, of the Kitchen to provide a strong and cohesive Leadership Team.

    Model & provide exceptional Guest Service.

    Grow the Catering business for your location and take great care of these Guests.

    Set clear and achievable expectations.

    Be the Lead for interviewing, hiring and all Team Member Training and Development.

    Give feedback that is actionable and allows Team Members to improve and develop.

    Handle Guest and Team Member complaints or issues in a professional, courteous, and thoughtful way.

    Write an effective labor schedule.

    Work with the Chef de Cuisine and Store Operations on any performance issues, progressive discipline and performance reviews.

    Work a variety of shifts to meet the needs of the position and the Team.



    PI194576534

  5. Post your job

    To find kitchen assistant managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any kitchen assistant managers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level kitchen assistant managers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your kitchen assistant manager job on Zippia to find and recruit kitchen assistant manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with kitchen assistant manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new kitchen assistant manager

    Once you've decided on a perfect kitchen assistant manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new kitchen assistant manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a kitchen assistant manager?

Recruiting kitchen assistant managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Kitchen assistant managers earn a median yearly salary is $39,114 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find kitchen assistant managers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $13 and $24.

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