About MadTree Brewing

Founded in 2013, MadTree is an award-winning brewery that’s rooted in Cincinnati and planted in purpose. Driven to craft great beer - but more importantly - build a business dedicated to doing good, MadTree protects and celebrates nature while reducing impact on the environment. MadTree is a B Corp certified company and proud member of 1% for the Planet with a commitment to donate 1% of sales to local, sustainable nonprofits. MadTree strives to create warm and welcoming experiences, exceed expectations, and most importantly, plant a better community. They put purpose in every pour,and raise a glass to doing things differently.

We are MadTree. Rooted in Cincy. Planted in Purpose.

MadTree is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce that is rooted in Cincy and planted in purpose. We offer a competitive compensation package plus great benefits like subsidized health insurance, free mental health support, a retirement plan with a match, paid time off, and many other great perks.

POSITION: Kitchen Manager – Parks & Rec
LOCATION: Blue Ash, OH
REPORTS TO: General Manager, Parks & Rec
STATUS: Full-Time (Exempt - Salaried)
COMPENSATION RANGE: $50,830 - $68,770
VARIABLE COMPENSATION: Up to $10,000/year

WHAT IS PARKS & REC?
Opened in February 2025, Parks & Rec represents MadTree's boldest venture yet—a stunning 15,000 sq. ft. space that transforms a historic airplane hangar into an innovative gathering place in the heart of Summit Park. This location seamlessly integrates with Blue Ash's green space, creating an environment where community and sustainability naturally intersect. Featuring sprawling indoor-outdoor spaces, a massive living wall, and games and activities for all ages, we're crafting more than a destination for award-winning beers and delicious food—we're creating a warm and welcoming space where purpose meets pleasure, and every visit contributes to planting a better community

POSITION SUMMARY:

As the Kitchen Manager at Parks & Rec, you'll be the heartbeat of our kitchen, leading a team of 25+ in a high-energy operation with $85k+ in weekly food sales. You're not just managing – you're connecting with your team, growing future leaders, and giving a f*ck about every plate that leaves the kitchen. From ensuring our food quality is consistently amazing to mentoring your Assistant Kitchen Manager and team, into their next chapter, you'll wear many hats while keeping things rooted in connection and purpose. 

You'll collaborate with our Private Events team to create memorable moments, partner with Parks & Rec leadership to bring our Points of Difference to life, and handle the essential operational pieces like timekeeping, inventory management, payroll, and vendor relationships.  You'll be building a kitchen culture where our behaviors of Connect, Grow, and Give a F*ck aren't just words on the wall – they're how your team approaches every service, every challenge, and every opportunity to develop. 

That means resolving conflicts with genuine care, investing in your people's growth, and making sure everyone feels valued while maintaining the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. As a true MadTree ambassador, you'll bring these behaviors to life daily in the kitchen, champion our community impact initiatives, and help create the warm, welcoming environment that makes Parks & Rec special. This role is about leading with purpose and making every shift meaningful for your team and our guests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and develop the Kitchen team through training, coaching, and performance management in accordance with company goals, policy and food safety standards, with special focus on mentoring the Assistant Kitchen Manager and key employees through growth opportunities and leadership training to prepare them for future management roles.
• Maintain exceptional food quality and consistency through active oversight, regular quality checks, and hands-on leadership.
• Manage and maintain food costs, inventory (including ordering, receiving & storage), and vendor relationships, and report weekly on food cost, labor, waste, and quality metrics.
• Create and optimize team member schedules with labor budgeting, based on business forecasts and staffing needs.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation standards & regulations while directing/executing maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of kitchen equipment, tools, and work areas.
• Collaborate with the Private Events team on catering planning and execution, including menu development, cost analysis, staffing coordination, timeline management, and on-site supervision to ensure seamless delivery of high-quality food service for all private events.
• Build and maintain a positive kitchen culture by resolving conflicts effectively, implementing retention strategies to keep great team members engaged and motivated, and partnering with Parks & Rec leadership to deliver our PODs (Points of Differentiation): We are Warm & Welcoming, We Craft to Exceed Expectations, and Together, We Plant a Better Community.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures and comprehensive training programs for menu execution, opening & closing operations, etc.
• Monitor and respond to guest feedback in a timely and effective manner.
• Partner with People Strategy to execute recruitment strategy, performance reviews, and follow up on annual engagement and pulse surveys, ensuring proper documentation oversight and timely follow-through on all people-related initiatives, action plans, and policy or behavior infractions.
• Spend at least 16 hours a year volunteering (paid) for MadTree Impact initiatives with excitement, encouraging your teammates to do the same.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties, accountabilities, and responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 21 years of age or older.

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education preferred.
• 2+ years of kitchen leadership, people management, and kitchen staff training & development in a high-volume restaurant required.
• Experience managing teams of 25+ employees and weekly food sales volume of $85k+ preferred.
• ServSafe PIC/Manager certified.
• Proficiency with restaurant management platforms including R365, Toast, Google Suite, etc ETC required.
• Available to work evening hours, weekends, and holidays. Management work week averages 45-50 hours per week and more deemed necessary at various times.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Leadership Excellence: Develops talent, drives engagement, and ensures accountability of their team through setting expectations and leading by example.
• Operations Management: Strong financial acumen and ability to optimize & adjust kitchen operations in line company budget.
• Works Well Under Pressure: can handle the fast-pace of a busy kitchen environment, without losing focus.
• Attention to Detail: recognizes the importance of quality, making sure that even the smallest of details are not overlooked.
• Passion for Food: Demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for cuisine and the culinary arts.
• Problem Solver: Identifies and resolves issues quickly and effectively, while not being afraid to “think outside the box”.
• Communication Expert: Clear and effective communicator with all levels of staff and leadership, always both explaining and owning the “why”.
• Guest-Focused: Committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences for their guests.
• Multi-Tasker: Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, pivoting and prioritizing where needed.
• Tech-Savvy: Comfortable with various restaurant communications, management, and scheduling systems, and can teach others.
• Safety Champion: Ensures compliance with all safety and sanitation standards, and champions the education of their team around this.
• Community Builder: Actively participates in and promotes volunteer initiatives

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to regularly sit, stand, and walk.
• Ability to frequently talk and hear.
• Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms. Use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The work environment is usually that of a bar, restaurant, and kitchen.
• The employee occasionally works near hazardous materials.
• The employee frequently works on wet floors.