Job Overview We are seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Kitchen Lead to oversee daily culinary operations in a dynamic hospitality environment. As a vital member of our team, you will lead food production, manage kitchen staff, ensure food safety standards, and deliver exceptional dining experiences. Your leadership will inspire teamwork, uphold high-quality food standards, and maintain efficient kitchen workflows. This role offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your culinary expertise and management skills in a fast-paced setting that values innovation and excellence. Position Summary The Kitchen Leader, under the direction of the Product and Processes Lead, is responsible for all aspects of Kitchen Operations including but not limited to: actively leading in efficiencies, training, and morale of Kitchen Staff members; maintaining a strict adherence to Health and Safety guidelines; working closely with other members of the Leadership Team, namely the Product and Process Leader; ensuring broad and open communication amongst all the members of your team. You will be required to oversee all baked goods and prepared sandwich and breakfast offerings from start to finish, oversee and lead in development of new food offerings, and any other tasks assigned by the Product and Process Leader or the Owners. As Kitchen Leader, you will generally work in the back-of-house, away from the view of customers and most other staff members. This role cultivates an encouraging, communicative, and respectful environment, as well as conducting other advanced tasks, such as inventory management, sales tracking, waste review, and ordering. This role requires knowledge of product, equipment, and staff. The Kitchen Leader ensures Kitchen Staff members are being productive and efficient with their time, delegating tasks to employees under their supervision. The Kitchen Lead must work closely with the Head Baristas and Hospitatility Lead to address front-of-house operational issues relating to the kitchen or food production, as well as ensuring that all food served is consistently of high quality, as well as with Catering Lead to "purposefully serve Columbus, Indiana with the highest customer care, the best specialty coffee, and an amazing environment to gather community" for all Lucabe Coffee Co. locations. Kitchen Leader Duties and Responsibilities Given the tasks required for the position, the following are key areas of oversight that require direct involvement and/or delegation to kitchen team: Provides a strong Leadership presence in the kitchen to ensure that all tasks are carried out effectively, resolve issues and conflicts, and brainstorm tasks to ensure efficiency during production hours. Leads and participates in daily production, cleaning, and maintenance to provide clear standards of excellence, set standards for expectations, and provide a strong model for kitchen staff to follow. Assists with the preparation and cooking of all food product, including daily, catering and special events Monitor product to identify inconsistencies, identify solutions and implement corrections to improve production processes Demonstrates expertise in production of all food product and cleaning tasks Actively leads and plans weekly and seasonal kitchen production and cleaning routines Champions FIFO to the kitchen staff, including all incoming and outgoing foods Maintains a strong, data-driven mindset with production based off sales reporting, waste tracking and understanding of active food and cafe trends Transition kitchen operations between seasonal offerings efficiently to minimize excess product and ensure timely delivery of new product to cafes. Develop a working relationship with Head Baristas and Hospitality Lead to understand and acknowledge needs of Front of House as it relates to kitchen operations and production. Ensures all kitchen equipment is operating properly and is used properly to ensure safety in the kitchen Report maintenance issues and needs and assist with maintenance tasks for kitchen Leads and oversees the creation and maintenance of recipes for all products, including foundational, seasonal and catering items, conducting annual revisions of recipes to improve flow and update processes in the kitchen. Collaborate and oversee the Pastry Chef and Kitchen Team development of creative and expressive recipes to improve seasonal offerings, including pastries, sandwiches and specialty items, in the cafes. Collaborate with the Catering Coordinator and Pastry Chef in catering planning, coordination and execution Collaborate with the Product and Process Leader, Hospitality Leader, Catering Coordinator, and Owners to align kitchen operations with the overarching goals of the shop. The Kitchen Lead will perform necessary administrative tasks to further improve production and efficiency of the kitchen. This will be accomplished through the following tasks: Oversee proper tracking of waste, production, and deliveries daily. Monitor sales of food and seasonal product weekly to determine trends, production needs, and identify menu changes to increase store profitability Perform weekly inventory and ordering for goods needed for daily operations in the Kitchen and Cafes. Assist in troubleshooting issues with inventory and goods received in conjunction with the Product and Process Leader. Develop and maintain weekly and seasonal goals for kitchen team to improve efficiency of production, develop plans for seasonal product testing, staff development, cleaning and catering product Plan and Lead quarterly kitchen shut downs to deep clean and address trouble areas of the kitchen Attend weekly catering meeting to determine production needs for upcoming events Communicate production needs and concerns in a timely and effective manner to team and Product and Process Coordinator in order to maximize employee productivity, improve workflow, and meet production and employee goals Plan and Lead weekly kitchen meetings to communicate upcoming events, menu changes, engage in problem solving, and improve communication on the team to maximize efficiency of the kitchen Develop an effective tracking system for all accidents, injuries, incidents and serious food complaints, ensuring all are recorded and addressed according to company and health code standards Accurately review waste reported in the kitchen team, addressing anomalies and patterns of waste and collaborating with the kitchen team to reduce and control high risk waste situations. The Kitchen Lead will serve as the Leadership presence in the kitchen under the direct supervision of the Product and Process Coordinator. This includes providing direct support, instruction, and feedback to improve production and cleaning tasks, as well as personal development to maximize the success of each person in the kitchen.

The Kitchen Lead will:

Engage Kitchen Staff in monthly one on ones to determine work satisfaction, troubleshoot issues and concerns, and promote healthy staff engagement and development. Oversees the training new kitchen staff, including orienting to kitchen, cleaning, product expectations, equipment use, and helpful pointers when working with equipment Assist with Food safety training with new kitchen staff, championing proper health code, cleanliness in the kitchen and establish proactive routines to maintain health compliance. Lead the team in healthy development activities, i.e. Bakery/Cafe Crawls, Continuing Education, etc., to foster creativity and positive engagement. Embody a positive presence in the kitchen to maintain a healthy work environment, foster employee growth, encourage creativity and problem solving, and maintain Lucabe Standards Build positive rapport with kitchen team to establish trust and direction with daily tasks Offer constructive feedback and coaching in production setting to improve staff efficiency, confidence, and overall product Serves as a role model to kitchen staff, front of house staff and customers by actions, appearance, manners, and general conduct

Requirements and Qualifications:

Culinary Arts Degree preferred, but not required. 3+ years of experience in a food production environment. 3+ years experience in a Back-of-House Leadership position. Ability to work full time, evenings and weekends, as well as overtime as necessary. Creativity, as well as a strong attention to detail. Ability to oversee and manage kitchen operations Ability to remain productive and focused when multiple needs arise. periences!

Expected hours:

40.0 per week

Work Location:

In person