Required Years of Experience
4 years
Job Details
About the Role
We run a commissary kitchen in Sunnyside, Queens that supports both catering production and ongoing food production. We’re looking for a hands-on Kitchen Manager to own day-to-day operations — production planning, team supervision, inventory, order fulfillment, and delivery coordination. This is a real leadership role with meaningful impact on how the kitchen runs and grows.
What You’ll Do
On any given day you might be building that week’s production schedule, checking a catering order before it goes out the door, training a new prep cook, placing a supplier order, or organizing the walk-in. Core responsibilities:
- Lead daily commissary kitchen operations — prep, cooking, packaging, labeling, staging, and dispatch
- Build and manage production schedules based on catering orders, par levels, and deadlines
- Ensure all catering orders leave accurately packed, labeled, and on time — and coordinate with delivery staff on timing and handoff
- Handle purchasing, inventory, receiving, and FIFO — keeping costs controlled and stock levels right
- Supervise and schedule a team of 3–5; assign responsibilities clearly and hold people accountable
- Enforce food safety, sanitation, and DOH compliance; keep the kitchen inspection-ready
- Maintain prep lists, production records, and order tracking; communicate proactively with ownership
What We’re Looking For
- 2–4+ years of kitchen leadership in a commissary, catering, or high-volume production kitchen
- Solid experience with production scheduling, inventory, purchasing, and order execution
- Strong communication and team leadership — you coach staff and stay calm under pressure
- Comfortable being both a manager and a hands-on contributor
- NYC Food Protection Certificate preferred; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
Schedule
Primarily Monday–Friday, with occasional flexibility needed for early morning deliveries, events, or seasonal volume. Holidays may be required on a rotating basis.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $55,000–$75,000 based on experience
- Paid time off and sick days
- Opportunity to grow with an expanding food operation
Compensation Details
Compensation: Salary ($55,000.00 - $75,000.00)
Benefits & Perks: Paid Time Off
Required Skills
Organizational Skills
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Problem Solving Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Teamwork
Leadership Skills
Training and Development Skills
Read more
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Part of Makina Cafe
Born in Ethiopia to parents of Eritrean descent, Makina Cafe founder Eden G. Egziabher was raised amidst a vibrant mix of Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Italian cultures. It is no coincidence that “Makina” translates to “truck” in the languages of all three countries—the very cultures that combine to create the mosaic of flavors found on our menu.
As the first Eritrean-American female entrepreneur in NYC to launch a food truck serving “Habesha” food, Eden’s mission has always been about more than just a meal. The word Habesha is a term of pride used to celebrate the unity and shared heritage of the Horn of Africa.
From One Truck to a New York Staple
What began as a single mobile cafe has grown alongside the city we love. While our yellow trucks still roam the streets in the Summer months, we have expanded to meet our community where they live and play:
Sunnyside, Queens: Our home base. We are proud to serve the neighborhood through our Pickup and Delivery kitchen and our very first Brick-and-Mortar restaurant, bringing the Makina experience to a permanent seat at the table.
Governor’s Island: Find us year-round, bringing Habesha flavors to one of NYC’s most iconic destinations.
The Future of Makina
Tasty, healthy, and unique, Makina Cafe is for New Yorkers tired of the same old options. As we grow, Eden remains committed to using Makina as a charitable platform to give back to the community.
Follow us @makinacafe to find out what’s happening next, or visit us in Sunnyside to see where the next chapter of our story is being written.
