Director of Culinary Operations

Position Title : Director of Culinary Operations

Location : New York City, NY

Reports to : Owner / CEO

Salary Range : $80,000 + bonus

About Rooted :

Rooted is a disruptive fast-casual restaurant providing transparent, simple, and healthy meals with 7 ingredients or less.

Our concept addresses the growing demand for ingredient transparency and caters towards the increasing number of individuals with dietary preferences (whole 30, keto, gluten free, vegan, etc), food allergies, and food intolerances.

Rooted is "rooted" in simplicity, transparency, and trust, ensuring customers know exactly what is on their plate down to the spice and oils used.

Job Overview :

Rooted is seeking a positive, driven, and detail-oriented Director of Culinary Operations to oversee all aspects of restaurant operations.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the food industry, exceptional leadership skills, and a strong background in kitchen operations and team management.

You will lead the day-to-day management of staff, inventory, payroll, and more to ensure smooth operations and an exceptional guest experience.

This position is poised for growth : this is Rooted’s first location and we plan to expand nationally. You will be entrusted to take full ownership of the restaurants operations, setting the foundation for long-term success and growth.

Responsibilities :

Operations Management :

• Oversee daily restaurant operations, including scheduling, staffing, and service quality.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and maintain excellent food quality and service standards.
• Lead inventory management and ordering processes, minimizing waste and ensuring efficient stock control.
• Supervise the preparation of payroll and manage labor costs effectively.
• Handle POS systems, including training staff and generating performance reports.
• Completes the duties of a line cook when needed, and is capable of performing the duties of all kitchen positions.

Staff Leadership :

• Hire, train, and manage all kitchen staff, including line cooks and prep cooks
• Conduct performance evaluations, foster staff development, and handle disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Create and maintain a positive, respectful, and supportive work environment.

Customer Experience :

• Maintain high standards of hospitality, ensuring customers have an exceptional experience.
• Manage customer feedback and complaints with professionalism and grace.

Financial Oversight :

• Work closely with the owner to develop and manage operational budgets.
• Monitor operational costs and identify measures to cut waste while maintaining quality.
• Provide weekly, monthly, and annual reports on restaurant performance.

Compliance and Standards :

• Ensure that the restaurant complies with all local and state health and safety regulations.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the restaurant, from kitchen to front-of-house.
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and continuously review operations for efficiency improvements.

Requirements :

• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in restaurant kitchen management
• Excellent cooking and knife skills
• Experience opening new restaurants
• Strong leadership, motivational, and people-management skills.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Financial management experience, including managing budgets and controlling costs.
• Proficiency with restaurant management software (e.g., POS systems, inventory management).
• A passion for hospitality and customer service.
• ServeSafe and / or NYC Food Protection certification (or willingness to obtain one).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Preferred :

• College Degree, Hospitality Management Degree, or Culinary Arts Degree.
• Familiarity with health-conscious, transparent dining concepts.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and service quality.

Benefits :

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Paid training to prepare you for success
• Opportunity for career growth in management positions
• Paid time off and health benefits

Rooted is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.