Kitchen Lead / Lead Line Cook
Full-Time | 40–45 Hours Per Week | Leadership Opportunity
We are a busy, established Mexican restaurant in Poway looking for an experienced Kitchen Lead / Lead Line Cook who wants consistent full-time hours and the opportunity to take ownership of a kitchen.
This is more than a line cook position. We are looking for someone dependable, organized and motivated who can lead by example, keep the kitchen running smoothly, and help maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness and accountability.
If you’re looking for a stable full-time position where your experience and leadership are valued, we’d love to meet you.
Schedule & Availability — Please Read Before Applying
- Monday, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays is REQUIRED
- 40–45 hours per week / approximately 5 days per week
- Must have open/flexible availability to work a combination of opening, mid and closing shifts as needed
- This position is intended for someone who can make our restaurant their primary work commitment
- Please do not apply if you have recurring scheduling conflicts that prevent you from meeting these requirements
What You’ll Help Lead
- Lead the kitchen and help oversee BOH staff during scheduled shifts
- Maintain consistency, quality and proper food presentation
- Keep the kitchen organized, clean and inspection-ready
- Ensure opening, closing, prep and cleaning checklists are completed correctly
- Help monitor inventory and communicate ordering/prep needs and 25% food cost
- Assist with kitchen scheduling and coverage when needed
- Train and support kitchen employees
- Hold the team accountable to restaurant standards
- Identify problems and take initiative to solve them
- Communicate directly with ownership/management about kitchen needs
- Work the line and jump into any station when needed
What We’re Looking For
- Strong line-cook experience in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen
- Mexican cuisine experience strongly preferred
- Previous lead cook, kitchen lead, sous chef or kitchen management experience preferred and catering
- Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation and kitchen organization
- Dependable and punctual with a strong work ethic
- Comfortable giving direction and holding team members accountable
- Able to remain calm and organized during busy services
- Someone who notices what needs to be done without always needing to be told
- A team player who takes pride in the kitchen and leads by example
- The Right Person for This Position
- We’re looking for someone who wants to become a key part of our restaurant, not simply pick up a few shifts.
- The right candidate will be someone we can trust to walk into the kitchen, assess what needs to be done, organize the team, maintain our standards and make sure the shift is set up for success.
- Growth opportunity is available for the right person who demonstrates strong leadership, reliability and ownership of the position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid training
Application Question(s):
- Mandatory Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturday and Sundays to work
Experience:
- Leadership: 2 years (Preferred)
Language:
- English and Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Manager Food Handler Certification (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Poway, CA 92064 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Poway, CA 92064: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
