Barrio Tacos is Raleigh's liveliest Mexican-inspired fast-casual destination — bold tacos, killer margaritas, and a crew that brings the energy every shift. We need a Kitchen & Catering Manager who can run a tight kitchen, lead a bilingual team, and deliver flawless catering events from setup to breakdown. If you have the culinary chops and the leadership to match, we want to meet you.
As Kitchen & Catering Manager, you own the back-of-house and the catering business. You'll set the standard for food quality, safety, and speed — and hold your team to it. You'll also own the full catering operation: developing new business, hitting revenue targets, and delivering events that represent the Barrio Tacos brand at its best. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines culinary excellence with a sales-minded approach to growing our catering program.
What You Must Have
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency Required — you will communicate daily with Spanish-speaking kitchen staff
- 3+ years of kitchen or catering management experience in a fast-casual, casual dining, or catering environment Required
- Demonstrated ability to grow catering revenue — building client relationships, developing new accounts, and consistently meeting or exceeding catering sales targets Required
- Proven track record of hiring, onboarding, and managing kitchen crews — including sourcing candidates through your own professional network
- Hands-on experience with food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation standards across high-volume menus
- Proficiency with POS systems (Toast POS) for order management and sales reconciliation
- Strong command of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and health department compliance
- Experience managing inventory control, ordering supplies, and minimizing waste to hit cost targets
- ServSafe Manager Certification — current or ability to obtain within 30 days
What You'll Do
Lead & Build the Team
- Recruit, interview, and hire kitchen staff — actively sourcing bilingual candidates through your personal and professional network
- Onboard and train new hires on Barrio Tacos recipes, standards, and food safety protocols
- Conduct performance reviews and create development plans to grow your crew
- Schedule shifts effectively to match volume, control labor costs, and ensure coverage
- Foster a positive, accountable kitchen culture where every team member can grow
Run the Kitchen
- Oversee all food preparation, cooking, and plating to maintain quality, consistency, and speed
- Enforce food safety and sanitation standards on every shift — no exceptions
- Manage inventory: monitor stock levels, place orders, track waste, and keep food costs in line
- Operate and oversee POS systems for accurate order processing and cash handling
- Identify and resolve operational issues during service with composure and efficiency
Grow & Manage the Catering Program
- Own the catering sales pipeline — actively developing new corporate, social, and community accounts to grow revenue
- Set, track, and achieve monthly and quarterly catering sales targets in partnership with the GM
- Build and maintain relationships with repeat clients, event planners, and local businesses to generate recurring catering business
- Create catering proposals, menus, and packages that drive bookings and upsell opportunities
- Coordinate all catering events and special functions from first inquiry through execution and follow-up
- Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of catering orders with exceptional guest service on every event
- Manage banquet setups, breakdown, and on-site event staffing
- Communicate proactively with the GM and event clients to deliver seamless, repeatable experiences
Manage the Numbers
- Own catering revenue targets — report weekly on pipeline, bookings, and performance against goals
- Track and report on food cost, labor cost, and full kitchen P&L performance
- Analyze catering profitability by event type and client to optimize pricing and package offerings
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve margins without sacrificing quality
- Support the GM in annual budget planning and financial forecasting for kitchen and catering operations
Skills & Qualifications
- Full bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (spoken and written)
- Deep knowledge of Mexican or Latin cuisine, ingredients, and preparation methods — a strong plus
- Expertise in catering logistics, banquet management, and bar/beverage operations
- Strong interpersonal skills — you can motivate, mediate, and mentor in two languages
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and event days
- Experience in hotel, resort, or high-volume restaurant catering environments preferred
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $55,000 – $70,000 depending on experience
- Performance bonus tied to kitchen cost, quality scores, and catering revenue
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holiday pay
- Meal benefits and dining perks
- Growth path into GM or multi-unit operations leadership
Pay: $48,831.75 - $58,808.13 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
