Kitchen Manager – MudPenny Rockford (Opening November 2025)
Location: Rockford, MI
Job Type: Full-time, Hourly
MudPenny is opening a new location in Rockford this November, and we’re seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead our back-of-house team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing restaurant group that values excellent food, strong systems, and people who thrive in a high-energy environment.
The Kitchen Manager will be responsible for ensuring food quality, consistency, and financial performance in alignment with MudPenny’s standards.
Core Values:

At MudPenny, our values guide how we lead our teams and serve our community:

• Neighborly – Build strong relationships with your team and support a positive kitchen culture.
• Excellence – Maintain high culinary standards and consistency in every plate.
• Solution-Driven – Approach challenges with creativity and problem-solving.
• Grit – Stay steady under pressure and lead your team through busy service.
• Embrace Growth – Continuously improve processes, train staff, and seek personal and professional development.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and consistency to MudPenny standards
• Manage food and labor costs to meet budget goals
• Create and maintain kitchen schedules based on forecasted sales
• Train, coach, and develop kitchen staff to uphold standards and grow their skills
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation guidelines
• Monitor inventory, order supplies, and reduce waste through proper systems
• Collaborate with leadership on menu updates, specials, and kitchen improvements

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in a kitchen leadership role (Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or similar)
• Strong knowledge of inventory management, ordering, and scheduling
• Proven ability to hit labor and food cost targets
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Passion for training and developing a high-performing team

What We Offer:

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• PTO and flexible scheduling
• Employee meal and discount program
• Growth opportunities within a dynamic, expanding restaurant group
• A supportive, values-driven leadership culture

Join Our Team:
If you’re a kitchen leader who is passionate about quality food and financial performance, we’d love to meet you. Apply today and help us build something special at MudPenny Rockford.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In perso

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and consistency to MudPenny standards
• Manage food and labor costs to meet budget goals
• Create and maintain kitchen schedules based on forecasted sales
• Train, coach, and develop kitchen staff to uphold standards and grow their skills
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation guidelines
• Monitor inventory, order supplies, and reduce waste through proper systems
• Collaborate with leadership on menu updates, specials, and kitchen improvement