QSR Kitchen Lead

Location: 6400 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509 | Full‑time | Flexible shifts: days, evenings, overnights, and weekends.

About the role

Assists the Restaurant Manager with daily operations and supervises the team in the manager’s absence. Leads and coaches Restaurant Team Members, partners with management to maintain Company and Brand operational standards, and ensures every guest leaves satisfied.

Responsibilities

• Provides excellent guest service in a fast and friendly manner; coaches and corrects team members.
• Conducts second interviews for team members and shift leads.
• Maintains a clean restaurant environment through cleaning and general housekeeping duties.
• Assigns shift duties to team members and follows up to ensure completion.
• Directs the team and ensures all food items are prepared and served in accordance with Brand, Company, and health department regulations.
• Coaches team members on food preparation and production management guidelines.
• Cascades relevant information to team members and assists with new product training.
• Places campaign materials upon request.
• Ensures product quality, food safety, and operational standards are met.
• Monitors and ensures accuracy of all cash, sales, and inventory control records for the shift.
• Completes end‑of‑shift and end‑of‑day paperwork and counts as required; communicates discrepancies to immediate supervisor.
• In the Restaurant Manager’s absence, completes daily, weekly, and end‑of‑period paperwork, inventory counts, cash counts, truck orders, and other administrative duties.
• Guarantees a safe environment for team members and guests by following all government laws and safety codes.
• Completes incident reports following the 5‑minute rule policy.
• Partners with the Restaurant Manager to meet all financial and operational metrics, driving a profitable restaurant.
• Lives Company values: One Team, Do the Right Thing, Takes Ownership, Play to Win.

Qualifications

• Full‑time availability required; must be available during all hours of operation and at least one hour before opening and after closing.
• Valid state Driver’s License required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Motivates, coaches, and leads team members.
• Acts with integrity; keeps commitments.
• Contagious positive attitude.
• Focuses on achieving results while having fun.
• Ability to gain control during stressful situations.
• Exhibits a sense of urgency.
• Team player who can work well with others or independently.
• Frequently bend, twist at waist, kneel, squat, stand, and walk.
• Occasionally climb and descend ladders.
• Tolerate extreme cold and hot temperatures and work in and around fryers, ovens, grills, coolers, freezers, sharp objects, and loud noises.
• Reach, grasp, and manipulate objects with hands for entire shift, including reaching overhead.
• Push, pull, lift, and carry up to 10 lb frequently and up to 50+ lb occasionally, including lifting from ground to overhead.

Circle K will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an employee with a disability unless the accommodation is unreasonable or would pose an undue hardship.

Benefits

• Unlimited tip pooling
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life and AD&D plans
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Short‑Term Disability
• Vacation paid time off
• Company holidays paid at time and a half
• Matching 401(k)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee Discount Program
• Discount Meal Benefit
• Wellness Plan

Wait periods may apply.

Pay

Hiring range: $17.00 – $21.00 per hour.