Kitchen Manager - Dumpling Operations

Din Tai Fung

$99K — $124K *
Brea, CA 92821In-Person
Food & Beverages
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 2+ years in kitchen or culinary leadership within high-volume production settings.
  • Strong hands-on culinary skills with expertise in dough work, food prep, and steaming techniques.
  • Proven people leadership skills, including training, coaching, and delivering performance feedback.
  • Maintains high standards in cleanliness, organization, and adherence to health regulations.
  • Physically capable of handling demanding tasks: lifting up to 50 lbs, standing long periods, and operating complex machinery.
  • Preferred: Experience in dumpling production, Asian cuisine, or guest-facing show kitchen environments.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operations of the Dumpling and Steamer departments while setting a professional example.
  • Conduct quality audits to ensure all dumplings meet brand presentation and execution standards.
  • Enforce sanitation practices and maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
  • Lead and develop dumpling staff through structured training, coaching, and cross-training initiatives.
  • Collaborate with management on staffing, scheduling, and labor planning in alignment with sales needs.
  • Foster an inclusive team culture through daily briefings, open communication, and continuous performance feedback.
  • Partner with restaurant leadership and regional training teams to align departmental goals and operational improvements.

Benefits

  • Competitive Pay & Benefits.
  • Employer contribution for individual and eligible dependent medical insurance.
  • Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Commuter Spending Accounts.
  • 401(k) Plan with company match and Employee Assistance Program.
  • Discounts via BenefitHub and Employee Meal Discounts.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave (PSL), and Quarterly Wellness Days.
  • Opportunities for growth with a focus on internal promotions.
Full Job Description
DIN TAI FUNG RESTAURANTS

LOCATION: Brea Mall **FUTURE RESTAURANT OPENING*

SALARY RANGE FOR DUMPLING MANAGER: $99,516.00 - $124,396.00 annual base salary

The base salary or hourly wage range for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors. Range is not inclusive of potential bonus or benefits. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range and other factors during the hiring process.

BENEFITS FOR DUMPLING MANAGER:
  • Competitive Pay & Benefits
  • Employer Contribution for individuals and eligible dependents' medical insurance
  • Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Commuter Spending Accounts
  • 401(k) Plan with company match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Discounts through BenefitHub
  • Employee Meal Discounts
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) to support work-life balance (accrued based on length of service)
  • Paid Sick Leave (PSL) to care for your health or loved ones
  • Quarterly Wellness Days - extra time off to recharge every season
  • Opportunities for growth; we love promoting within!


JOB PURPOSE:
The Dumpling Manager serves as a key leader in back-of-house operations, overseeing the development, performance, and staffing of the Dumpling specialty. They are responsible for training team members and leads, driving consistency and quality, and partnering with management to support labor planning, team development, and operational excellence. Operating from a guest-facing show kitchen, they lead by example and uphold the brand's standards of professionalism, cleanliness, and culinary excellence.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Oversees the daily leadership of the Dumpling and Steamer departments, providing structure, guidance, and support to ensure a positive, high-performing team culture. Acts as a role model for professionalism and accountability in a guest-facing, show kitchen environment.
  • Ensures all dumplings meet brand quality and presentation standards by conducting audits and reinforcing best practices. Drives consistency in execution by supporting training follow-through and standard operating procedure compliance. Maintains a polished, guest-ready appearance and demeanor appropriate for a show kitchen setting. Embodies the Din Tai Fung brand through exceptional leadership, hospitality, and operational excellence.
  • Champions a clean, safe, and organized work environment by enforcing sanitation standards and maintaining health department compliance. Holds team members accountable for following safety protocols and proper food handling procedures.
  • Leads the training and development of Dumpling Leads, Steamers, and Dumpling staff, ensuring team members are skilled, consistent, and aligned with brand standards. Implements coaching, cross-training, and growth plans to build internal talent pipelines.
  • Partners with management to plan staffing levels, hiring needs, and break schedules in alignment with sales forecasts and labor goals. Helps determine labor allocations, team promotions, and succession planning across back-of-house roles
  • Fosters a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment with open communication, daily pre-shift meetings, and regular check-ins. Encourages team ownership, problem-solving, and peer-to-peer support. Monitors individual and team performance, provides ongoing feedback, and conducts evaluations to drive continuous improvement. Collaborates with managers to recognize top performers and address underperformance through structured support.
  • Works closely with restaurant leadership and the regional training team to align on department goals, training priorities, and operational improvements. Participates in weekly planning meetings to support overall restaurant success.


JOB REQUIREMENTS FOR DUMPLING MANAGER :
  • 2+ years of kitchen or culinary leadership experience, ideally in high-volume or production environments.
  • Strong hands-on culinary skills, especially in dough work, food prep, and steaming techniques.
  • Proven ability in people leadership including training approaches, coaching, and provide performance feedback to team members.
  • High standards of cleanliness, organization, and adherence to health regulations.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding kitchen tasks.
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time.
  • Ability to operate large and/or complex machinery.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience with dumpling production or Asian cuisine in a structured culinary environment.
  • Previous experience in a training or lead role with cross-functional team coordination.
    Familiarity with show kitchen or open-concept kitchen environments requiring guest-facing professionalism.


Note:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor.

Din Tai Fung is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Fair Chance Initiative.

Din Tai Fung is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As part of our hiring process, Din Tai Fung uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows employers to compare information from an employee's Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This verification confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. Din Tai Fung complies fully with all Equal Employment Opportunity laws, ensuring no discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status. Din Tai Fung is committed to employing only individuals who are authorized to work in the United States and who comply with applicable immigration and employment law. As a condition of employment, every individual must provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and legal authority to work in the United States. If the employee cannot verify their right to work in the United States within the time permitted by laws, the Company will be required to terminate their employment immediately. To learn more about E-Verify, please visit: .

Applicant must be 18 years of age or older and able to provide documentation to work in the United States legally

Compensation: $99,516.00 - $124,396.00 per year

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ABOUT DIN TAI FUNG

Din Tai Fung is a Chinese restaurant specializing in Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumplings. Originally founded in Taiwan as a cooking oil retail business in 1958, Din Tai Fung was reborn as a steamed dumpling and noodle restaurant in 1972. Since its founding, Din Tai Fung has become world-renowned for its quality, standardization and service. The Hong Kong branch has been awarded a Michelin star five times. Din Tai Fung currently has over 170 locations in 13 countries worldwide.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Din Tai Fung

More Food & Beverages Jobs

Find similar Kitchen Manager - Dumpling Operations jobs: