Kitchen Lead
Hometown Coffee and Juice, Glenview, IL, United States
Kitchen Lead
As Kitchen Lead, you'll be the heartbeat of our back-of-house team, ensuring smooth daily operations, high-quality food preparation, and a positive team environment. You'll lead by example, support your teammates, and help maintain the standards that make Hometown Coffee & Juice a beloved community spot. Key Responsibilities Lead kitchen operations during prep and service, ensuring food is prepared to recipe standards and served promptly. Manage ticket flow and station organization to maintain efficiency and consistency. Take initiative to solve problems and support the team during peak hours. Teamwork & Professional Conduct Foster a collaborative and respectful kitchen culture. Train and mentor new team members, helping them understand our values and standards. Communicate clearly and professionally with all team members. Food Preparation & Safety Ensure all food is prepared and presented according to Hometown's quality standards. Follow food safety and sanitation protocols, including FIFO practices and allergen awareness. Monitor and maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization. Customer Focus Support the front-of-house team by ensuring timely and consistent food delivery. Maintain high standards that contribute to a positive customer experience. Communication & Collaboration Work closely with the prep and smoothie teams to coordinate ingredient needs and service flow. Communicate stock levels, special requests, and operational issues to management. Compliance & Cost Control Monitor inventory and assist with ordering and receiving supplies. Follow portion control guidelines to reduce waste and manage food costs. Ensure proper storage and rotation of ingredients. Culture Learn: Understand and embody Hometown's culture, values, and customer experience standards. Teach: Help onboard and train new team members, sharing knowledge and best practices. Live: Demonstrate teamwork, quality, and customer focus in every shift. What You Need Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods and work in a high-heat environment. Comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds. Strong knife skills and attention to detail. Qualifications 12 years of experience in a kitchen leadership role (or equivalent experience). ServSafe certification preferred (can be obtained upon hiring). Ability to multitask and lead in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Why You'll Love This Job Be part of a supportive, high-energy team. Grow your skills and take on leadership opportunities. Work in a vibrant caf environment where your contributions matter. Enjoy perks like food and beverage discounts and opportunities for advancement. Pay & Benefits Compensation - $22 -$25 per hour Hours - 40-48 hours per week FT or PT - FT EEO Statement Uptown and Hometown Coffee & Juice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
As Kitchen Lead, you'll be the heartbeat of our back-of-house team, ensuring smooth daily operations, high-quality food preparation, and a positive team environment. You'll lead by example, support your teammates, and help maintain the standards that make Hometown Coffee & Juice a beloved community spot. Key Responsibilities Lead kitchen operations during prep and service, ensuring food is prepared to recipe standards and served promptly. Manage ticket flow and station organization to maintain efficiency and consistency. Take initiative to solve problems and support the team during peak hours. Teamwork & Professional Conduct Foster a collaborative and respectful kitchen culture. Train and mentor new team members, helping them understand our values and standards. Communicate clearly and professionally with all team members. Food Preparation & Safety Ensure all food is prepared and presented according to Hometown's quality standards. Follow food safety and sanitation protocols, including FIFO practices and allergen awareness. Monitor and maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization. Customer Focus Support the front-of-house team by ensuring timely and consistent food delivery. Maintain high standards that contribute to a positive customer experience. Communication & Collaboration Work closely with the prep and smoothie teams to coordinate ingredient needs and service flow. Communicate stock levels, special requests, and operational issues to management. Compliance & Cost Control Monitor inventory and assist with ordering and receiving supplies. Follow portion control guidelines to reduce waste and manage food costs. Ensure proper storage and rotation of ingredients. Culture Learn: Understand and embody Hometown's culture, values, and customer experience standards. Teach: Help onboard and train new team members, sharing knowledge and best practices. Live: Demonstrate teamwork, quality, and customer focus in every shift. What You Need Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods and work in a high-heat environment. Comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds. Strong knife skills and attention to detail. Qualifications 12 years of experience in a kitchen leadership role (or equivalent experience). ServSafe certification preferred (can be obtained upon hiring). Ability to multitask and lead in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Why You'll Love This Job Be part of a supportive, high-energy team. Grow your skills and take on leadership opportunities. Work in a vibrant caf environment where your contributions matter. Enjoy perks like food and beverage discounts and opportunities for advancement. Pay & Benefits Compensation - $22 -$25 per hour Hours - 40-48 hours per week FT or PT - FT EEO Statement Uptown and Hometown Coffee & Juice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.