About Us
Buena Bodega is a neighborhood specialty market and counter-service eatery in Midtown Ventura. We're all about joyful discovery, bringing our community together around good food, drinks, soft serve, and shelves stocked with unique, high-quality goods you can't find just anywhere. We're looking for a Kitchen Lead who brings energy, ownership, and consistency to our BOH every single shift.
The Role
We're looking for a reliable, skilled Kitchen Lead to serve as the right hand to our Kitchen Manager. This is a working role. You're in the kitchen every day, owning prep, maintaining quality and cleanliness standards, and keeping the line moving efficiently. You'll help carry operational weight so our Kitchen Manager can focus on food development, seasonal menu innovation, and big-picture systems.
This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in their craft, communicates well under pressure, and is ready to take on real responsibility in a growing, community-driven concept.
What You'll Do
Daily Kitchen Operations
- Execute daily prep lists with precision, speed, and consistency
- Maintain line setup, par levels, and station readiness before and throughout service
- Monitor ticket times and coordinate with front-of-house during service periods
- Ensure food is plated and presented to Buena Bodega standards on every plate
SOPs, Recipe Cards & Training
- Follow and help enforce written SOPs and recipe cards for all menu items
- Train new kitchen staff on prep procedures, plating standards, and station responsibilities
- Flag inconsistencies in recipes or procedures to the Kitchen Manager so documentation can be updated
Inventory, Ordering & Waste Management
- Monitor daily inventory levels and communicate shortages proactively
- Log daily waste accurately using our waste tracking sheet — noting item, quantity, and reason
- Help receive and rotate deliveries, following FIFO protocols
- Flag over-ordering or spoilage patterns to the Kitchen Manager
Food Safety & Cleanliness
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment at all times
- Enforce Health Department standards including proper food storage, labeling, and temperature logs
- Conduct end-of-shift cleaning and ensure closing checklists are completed
Team & Communication
- Lead by example — positive attitude, high standards, and a team-first mindset
- Communicate clearly with the Kitchen Manager about daily operations, team performance, and supply needs
- Step up to run shifts when the Kitchen Manager is off
What We're Looking For
- 2+ years of kitchen experience in a fast-paced environment (cafe, counter service, or casual dining preferred)
- Strong knife skills, prep fundamentals, and a solid understanding of kitchen best practices
- Experience following and teaching from recipe cards and SOPs
- Familiarity with food safety standards and proper labeling/storage protocols
- A calm, solutions-oriented attitude when things get busy
- Bonus: experience with POS systems, food costing, or catering/banquet ops
Why You'll Love It Here
At Buena Bodega, we're building something special — a community kitchen with real creative energy. You'll work with fresh, seasonal ingredients, be part of a tight-knit team, and have room to grow as we do. We value people who take pride in their work and show up for each other.
Details
- Job Type: Full-time
- Pay: $20/Hourly + Tips
- Location: 1803 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001 (In-person required)
- Weekend and afternoon availability required
- Experience: 2 years of kitchen experience preferred
Pay: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
