Hands-on Kitchen Manager / Head Chef role for a growing restaurant group with 10 locations across Northeast Ohio — Johnny J’s, Town Tavern, The Nut House, and Crust & Cocktails. You lead the back of house, own food cost and ticket times, and still jump on the line when it’s slammed. This is a $60–80k leadership track, distinct from our floor Manager ($45–65k) role.
About Johnny J's Pub & Grille (Portage Lakes): Johnny J’s Pub & Grille in Portage Lakes is the rare neighborhood sports bar that solves the two biggest local pain points at once: where to watch the game and where to get real food late. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with the kitchen open until 2 a.m., Johnny J’s wins by being the dependable Akron-area spot…
What you'll do:
- Manage all daily kitchen operations in a high-volume restaurant environment
- Lead, supervise, train, and motivate kitchen staff
- Step onto the line and support the team during peak hours — this is an active role, not office-only
- Maintain food quality, consistency, and ticket times during busy service
- Ensure cleanliness, organization, and sanitation standards are consistently met
- Assist with hiring, scheduling, training, and staff development
- Monitor inventory, food prep, ordering, and food cost controls
- Maintain strong communication between front and back of house
- Ensure kitchen safety and compliance with all health regulations
What you'll need:
- Previous kitchen management experience required
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Experience managing labor, inventory, and kitchen operations
- Reliable, organized, and team-oriented
- Ability to multitask and solve problems quickly during service
- Nights and weekends required
Nice to have:
- Multi-unit or multi-location kitchen leadership
- ServSafe Manager certification
- Interest in long-term growth across the group
Benefits & perks:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Bonuses and benefits
- Growth across 10 locations (Johnny J’s | Town Tavern | The Nut House | Crust & Cocktails)
- Paid training
Schedule: Full-time; nights, weekends, and holidays as needed based on business needs.