Kitchen Lead

About the role

The Kitchen Lead plays a key role in maintaining smooth daily kitchen operations at the café level. This position is responsible for high standards of food quality, safety, organization, and prep, while leading and supporting a strong team culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen prep and execution during service, ensuring consistent quality and presentation
• Maintain back-of-house standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and organization
• Collaborate with the GM on kitchen schedules by providing input on team availability and operational needs
• Place vendor orders and manage vendor relationships to ensure quality, timeliness, and competitive pricing
• Perform inventory counts and manage product rotation to minimize waste
• Lead the team in food safety and sanitation practices, modeling correct procedures
• Support the training and onboarding of new BOH staff; demonstrate prep methods and kitchen systems in alignment with standards
• Collaborate with GM and retail team on seasonal menus, specials, and café events
• Support recipe development and documentation in collaboration with retail operations
• Communicate proactively with GM regarding team performance, scheduling needs, or kitchen-related concerns
• Act as a key contributor to a positive and supportive kitchen culture

Qualifications and Requirements

• 2+ years of BOH experience; lead or supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Strong food safety knowledge and current Food Handler Card required
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, prep techniques, and cooking procedures
• Able to maintain a clean, efficient, and organized kitchen under pressure
• Excellent communication and follow-through
• Works well independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrates leadership, maturity, and professionalism
• Experience reviewing financial reports and meeting budgets
• Able to work full time (the work regularly demands more than 45 hours per week) including variable hours such as early morning, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Experience with POS touch screen, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other computer skills
• Minimum High School or GED
• Must be 16 years of age or older

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. We'd love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions!

Benefits

• Commuter Benefits - pre-tax parking and transit
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee
• Free mental health app subscription
• Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafes
• Continuing coffee education classes
• Free coffee
• Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day
• After 60 days as an employee at Equator
• Healthcare Benefits (for full-time employees working over 30 hours per week)
• 100% employer-covered premium medical insurance
• Voluntary Insurance Plans - dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplementary life insurance
• Employer covered life insurance premium
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - healthcare and daily dependent care
• After 90 days as an employee at Equator
• Holiday Pay after 90 days of employment. Eight Equator-observed holidays per year
• Paid Time Off with tenured increases for full-time employees
• One paid volunteer day per year after six months as an employee at Equator
• 401K with up to a 4% company match on employee contributions