KITCHEN MANAGER/CHEF

Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill | Port Canaveral, Florida Great Food. Great People. Waterfront Views. A Better Kitchen Leadership Experience. Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill is looking for an experienced, energetic, and people-focused Kitchen Manager/Chef to join our leadership team in beautiful Port Canaveral. We're not a cookie-cutter corporate restaurant—and that's exactly what makes Fishlips special. Since opening in 2004, Fishlips has grown into a Port Canaveral favorite for locals, families, cruise travelers, and visitors from around the world. From fresh seafood and burgers to celebrations, live entertainment, cruise ships, and rocket launches, Fishlips has built its reputation around creating memorable waterfront experiences supported by a strong, consistent kitchen operation.

Our philosophy is simple:

Great hospitality. Quality food. Strong teamwork. A welcoming atmosphere. And something for everyone. We're looking for a Kitchen Manager/Chef who believes great restaurants are built by great people—and that a strong kitchen is at the heart of every great guest experience.

WHY FISHLIPS?

Kitchen leadership shouldn't mean sacrificing your entire life to the restaurant. Our leadership structure is designed to provide managers with the opportunity to build a successful kitchen, develop a great team, and still have a life outside of work. Management Hours Shifts will vary; however, our managers work a variety of opening, mid, and closing shifts. Five-day workweek Two days off each week Schedule provided in advance whenever possible Our goal is to create a leadership environment where managers can take ownership of the operation while maintaining consistency, accountability, and balance.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

At Fishlips, our culture is built around a few simple principles: Hospitality First Every plate leaving our kitchen contributes to the experience of every guest who walks through our doors. People Matter We treat our employees and guests with respect. We believe strong relationships, strong leadership, and a positive kitchen culture create successful restaurants. Quality & Consistency Whether it's fresh seafood, a burger, or Sunday brunch, our guests should know they can count on the Fishlips kitchen to deliver quality and consistency every time. Teamwork Great kitchens aren't built by one person. Our Kitchen Manager/Chef works alongside the team, develops people, communicates expectations, and leads by example. Community Fishlips isn't simply located in Port Canaveral—we're part of the community. We want our restaurant to remain a place where locals and visitors gather, celebrate, and make memories. Have Fun While Doing It We're serious about food quality and restaurant operations, but we also believe a successful kitchen can be professional, positive, energetic, and enjoyable.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As our Kitchen Manager/Chef, you'll oversee and lead our back-of-house operation while developing a kitchen culture built around quality, consistency, teamwork, accountability, and pride.

Responsibilities Include:

Lead, motivate, coach, and develop back-of-house team members Oversee daily kitchen operations and execution Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, presentation, consistency, cleanliness, and safety Recruit, hire, train, and retain strong kitchen team members Build a positive, accountable, and team-oriented BOH culture Establish clear expectations and hold the kitchen team accountable to Fishlips standards Manage kitchen scheduling and labor Monitor food costs and assist in achieving operational and financial goals Oversee inventory, ordering, receiving, rotation, and proper product storage Monitor portioning, preparation, waste, and overall food-cost controls Maintain proper food-safety and sanitation standards Ensure recipes and preparation standards are consistently followed Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient kitchen Lead high-volume shifts with confidence, urgency, and organization Communicate effectively with the restaurant's management team Work alongside the kitchen team when necessary—we believe our leaders should be visible and engaged Identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency, food quality, training, and overall execution Develop future kitchen leaders from within the team Help protect and continue the Fishlips reputation in the Port Canaveral community

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR A

hospitality leader with strong BOH experience, culture, and a drive to make a difference. Our ideal Kitchen Manager/Chef is more than someone who can run a line or manage food costs. We're looking for someone who can lead people, build culture, develop talent, and take ownership of the kitchen.

The ideal candidate has:

Strong back-of-house restaurant leadership experience Kitchen Manager, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Culinary Manager, or similar leadership experience Proven ability to lead, coach, train, and develop kitchen employees Strong understanding of food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, waste, and operational controls High standards for food quality, consistency, presentation, sanitation, and organization Experience managing a high-volume kitchen environment Strong communication and problem-solving skills Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-focused during high-volume periods A hands-on leadership style A passion for creating a positive BOH culture A desire to make a measurable difference in the restaurant, the team, and the guest experience Availability to work a flexible five-day schedule, including opening, mid, and closing shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed High-volume, full-service, seafood, waterfront, bar, or tourist-destination restaurant experience is a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

We believe great kitchen leaders should be recognized and rewarded for great leadership. Our Kitchen Manager/Chef compensation package may include: Competitive Management Salary Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity Five-Day Workweek Two Days Off Per Week Paid Time Off Employee Dining Privileges Management Development & Advancement Opportunities Scheduling That Includes a Variety of Opening, Mid, and Closing Shifts A Locally Established Restaurant with More Than 20 Years of History One of the Most Unique Restaurant Work Environments on Florida's Space Coast Final compensation, benefits, bonus structure, and eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

MORE THAN A RESTAURANT

Fishlips officially opened in Port Canaveral in 2004 and has grown into a longtime destination for locals and visitors alike. Today, Fishlips offers casual waterfront dining overlooking one of the most exciting ports in the country. On any given day, our guests may be watching a cruise ship sail past, celebrating a birthday, enjoying Sunday brunch, gathering with friends, listening to music, or watching a rocket launch. Behind every one of those experiences is a kitchen team responsible for delivering the food quality and consistency our guests expect. That's where you come in.

READY TO LEAD OUR KITCHEN?

If you're an experienced Kitchen Manager/Chef who understands that great food starts with great people, we'd like to meet you. We're looking for someone who wants more than a title. Build the team. Build the culture. Protect the quality. Make a difference. Bring your leadership. Bring your culinary experience. Bring your standards. We'll provide the waterfront.

FISHLIPS WATERFRONT BAR & GRILL 610

Glen Cheek Drive | Port Canaveral, Florida Eat. Drink. Laugh. Dance. Repeat.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Experience:

Kitchen management: 3 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person