Bistro Lead (Full- Time)

denninger ltd; Burlington; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount 20%

Staff discount 50% at Bistro

Health, vision and dental benefits

Employee Assistance Program

24/7 virtual health care

Deferred Profit Sharing Plan

Job summary

R. Denninger Limited in Ontario is seeking a hands-on Bistro Lead to drive day-to-day operations, maintain high food quality, and deliver outstanding customer experiences.

You will coach and develop associates, manage schedules, and ensure safety and efficiency in a fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Store Manager, this full-time role offers staff discounts, employee benefits after probation, and opportunities to contribute to departmental profitability.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years front-of-house leadership in restaurant/food service.
• Foundational cooking skills and ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment.
• Must be at least 18 years old and legally able to serve alcohol.
• Strong customer service focus with a guest experience mindset.
• Ontario Food Handlers & Smart Serve certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Support daily department operations during high-volume periods, including food preparation, transactions, and customer service.
• Monitor daily operational readiness, including equipment functionality, staffing coverage, cleanliness standards, and cash handling security procedures.
• Ensure all menu items are prepared and presented consistently according to recipes, portioning, and quality standards.
• Train and onboard new team members on recipes, procedures, food safety practices, and customer service expectations.
• Provide regular coaching and constructive feedback while identifying opportunities for employee development and training.
• Prepare and manage staff schedules to support operational demands, productivity, and labour targets.

Skills

Front-of-house leadership

Customer service excellence

Staff training and coaching

Cooking skills

Experience in restaurant/food service

Education

Ontario Food Handlers & Smart Serve certification

Job description

R. Denninger Limited is one of the finest food companies in the world. For more than 70 years, quality has been the founding criteria of our company. Denninger’s has four retail locations, a manufacturing plant and a warehouse all located throughout Southern Ontario. Denninger’s associates are hand picked to provide the best service in the industry. If you have a passion for customer service and thrive in a team environment, Denninger’s is the place for you!

What We Offer

• A rewarding and fun work atmosphere
• Participation in Department Head Bonus Program
• Employee Recognition Program
• 20% Staff discount across all locations
• 50% Staff discount at our Bistro/ Bitehaus
• Perks Program (Monthly Super Staff Discounts, Goodlife Discount, Perkopolis and more)
• Health, vision and dental benefits six month after hire
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to 24/7 virtual health care
• Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP)

Reports to: Store Manager

Vacancy Status: Open (Current)

Summary: The Bistro Lead is a hands-on leadership role that supports the day-to-day operations of the Bistro while ensuring excellent food quality, service, and customer experiences. This role also plays an important part in coaching and developing associates to help the team succeed.

Responsibilities

• Support daily department operations during high-volume periods, including food preparation, transactions, and customer service.
• Monitor daily operational readiness, including equipment functionality, staffing coverage, cleanliness standards, and cash handling security procedures.
• Ensure all menu items are prepared and presented consistently in accordance with established recipes, portioning, and quality standards.
• Train and onboard new team members on recipes, procedures, food safety practices, and customer service expectations.
• Provide regular coaching and constructive feedback while identifying opportunities for employee development and training.
• Prepare and manage staff schedules to support operational demands, productivity expectations, and labour targets, while responding to call-ins as needed.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen handling standards and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels, place orders in a timely manner, and verify deliveries for accuracy, quality, and quantity.
• Support departmental profitability by minimizing shrink through effective forecasting and proper FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory rotation.
• Collaborate with other departments to coordinate product movement and monitor product shelf life to minimize waste.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a front-of-house leadership role within the restaurant and / or food service industry.
• Foundational cooking skills, with the ability to confidently operate commercial kitchen equipment, including but not limited to ovens, grills, fryers, and food preparation tools.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and legally able to serve and sell alcohol.
• Demonstrated hands-on leadership style with the ability to lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional customer service skills with a strong focus on delivering an outstanding guest experience.
• A demonstrated self-starter with strong problem solving skills.
• Ontario Food Handlers & Smart Serve certification is required.

Essential Functions

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend and stoop to grasp objects and climb ladders. Bend and twist neck and waist, reach above and below shoulders and squat.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs independently.
• Push / pull up to 100lbs independently.
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation.
• Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, freezers, outdoors, etc.)

R. Denninger Limited is an equal opportunity employer and we value the importance of diversity and dignity in the workplace. If you are contacted by R. Denninger Limited regarding a job opportunity, please advise prior to the interview if you require accommodation and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.