Shift Leader

At NAYA, we’re growing fast, sharing authentic, fresh and nutritious Middle Eastern flavors, and building a team that grows right along with us. We train, mentor, and promote from within because we believe our people are the heart of our success.

About the role

As a Shift Leader, you’ll lead team members in running an efficient operation, providing excellent customer service, assisting with day-to-day store operations, maintaining high store standards, and fostering a positive environment. Reports to: General Manager.

Benefits

• Competitive pay to recognize your impact
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy and thriving
• Commuter benefits to make life easier
• Employee discounts and free NAYA meals
• Growth opportunities at every level — we invest in developing leaders from within

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Ensure store profitability by driving sales, controlling labor, and managing cost of goods
• Oversee preparation and service of all food and beverage items, ensuring they meet NAYA’s recipes, portioning, and quality standards
• Manage daily shift schedules to ensure proper clock in/out times and adjust schedules based on sales volumes
• Conduct ordering, monthly inventory, and control stock levels for food, equipment, and supplies
• Review and manage daily time punches to address any time clock issues
• Control cash and receipts through adherence to cash handling and reconciliation procedures
• Complete and submit administrative tasks promptly, including guest incidents, workers comp claims, manager checklists, cashier/deposit trackers, and communication logs

Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members in conjunction with the General Manager
• Lead by example with a guest-first mindset, fostering a positive and productive environment
• Conduct pre-shift meetings to communicate expectations, share guest feedback, and celebrate team successes
• Ensure staff compliance with labor laws, including FWW guidelines, and manage meal breaks
• Resolve conflicts and escalate issues as needed to the General Manager
• Model and uphold HR policies, ensuring team members have access to available resources
• Develop team members by training successors and delegating responsibilities

Guest Relations & Community Engagement

• Actively engage with guests, building relationships and addressing complaints with a solutions-focused approach
• React to and assist with recovery actions or rewards for negative/positive online reviews to maintain NAYA’s community reputation
• Promote NAYA’s catering services and assist in taking orders as needed
• Execute all catering and third-party orders with ease, understanding the importance of on-time delivery
• Make eye contact, greet guests warmly, and ensure the team upholds these standards

Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

• Utilize financial reporting tools to monitor and manage sales, labor, and other key metrics
• Perform cash counting, banking/deposit tasks, and manage discounts and promotions
• Handle guest incidents and worker’s compensation reports when necessary

Additional Skills & Abilities

• Master kitchen operations, COGS and labor management, line service, and throughput
• Handle delivery issues and third-party dispatches promptly and efficiently
• Ensure the store is opened and closed following NAYA’s opening and closing procedures
• Serve as a strong role model, earning team respect and providing coaching as needed

Requirements

• 2+ years of related leadership experience at a similar caliber concept
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; proficient in English (spoken and written) to perform essential job duties
• Adaptable in a fast-paced and challenging work environment
• Able to take and give direction well and perform essential job functions under pressure while maintaining professionalism
• Communicates information effectively and efficiently, approaches work with a sense of ownership and urgency
• Exhibits strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrates positive leadership characteristics that inspire team members to meet and exceed standards
• Able to utilize traditional software programs such as Gmail, Microsoft Office, and additional systems as needed
• Able to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system
• Able to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and a variable schedule, per the needs of the business
• Able to lift at least 50 pounds on a regular basis and bend, stoop, stand, and perform extensive walking for 8-10 hours a day