Shift Leader

McDonald’s; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on break

Employee discounts

Overnight shift pay

Recognition program

Flexible working hours

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

McDonald's is seeking a Shift Leader in Maidstone to drive exceptional customer service and operational excellence. You will lead a team to deliver great hospitality, maintain clean spaces, and ensure friendly service across shifts that include early mornings, afternoons, evenings and overnights.

The role requires availability across weekdays and weekends, with a focus on supporting a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace while modelling the company values in every interaction.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in hospitality or retail environments.
• Strong customer service orientation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to train and motivate staff and manage shift operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare shifts based on forecasted demand and staffing needs.
• Lead the team during shifts to ensure smooth production, assembly and service.
• Coach and recognise team members; provide feedback and ensure safety compliance.
• Review shift performance and pass on handover notes to the next shift.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Customer focus

Communication

Job description

Come join the McDonald's Experience Looking for a role where your positivity, hospitality, and teamwork make a real impact? At McDonald's, we're not just serving food, we're creating moments. As a Shift Leader, you'll be at the heart of our restaurants customer experience, leading your team to deliver great hospitality, clean spaces, and friendly service. This role requires availability to work shifts across various days and times. To meet the criteria for this role, you will be required to be available to work within Weekdays and Weekends, working shifts across Early Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings & Overnights. Please only apply if you are able to meet these requirements.

What We Stand For

At McDonald's, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. McDonald's is built on five core values: Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community, and Family. These values guide how we work together, how we treat our customers, and how we support each other. We're committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where opportunity is open to all.

What does a day as a Shift Leader look like?

As a Shift Leader, you are a key driver of operational excellence and team engagement. You'll lead by example, inspire high performance, and ensure every shift runs smoothly while delivering an exceptional customer and employee experience. Your leadership will reflect our core values, fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Your ability to build trust-based relationships through active listening, feedback, coaching, and providing recognition will be key to creating a positive work environment. As a role model, you will align your decisions and actions with our Values, ensuring they guide every aspect of your leadership. You will embody behaviours that positively impact the customer and employee experience, demonstrating flexibility, approachability, and a commitment to both customer satisfaction and team well‑being.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Shift Preparation

• Strategically plan for shift success based on forecasted sales, guest counts, and staffing levels. Analysing data to determine decision making.
• Conduct pre-shift walk-throughs using checklists to prioritize and delegate tasks.
• Ensure food safety, health & safety, and maintenance standards are met.
• Review stock levels, menu updates, and promotional offers with the team.

During the Shift

• Optimise team positioning and assign area leaders to manage Production, Assembly, and Service zones. Problem solve and engage the team in implementing solutions to barriers.
• Monitor operations and customer flow, adjusting in real-time to maintain service quality.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks and safety concerns proactively.
• Provide on-the-spot coaching, feedback, and recognition to motivate team members.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws, youth worker regulations, and safety protocols.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and hospitality throughout the shift.
• Engage with customers and delivery partners to enhance the overall experience.

Post-Shift Wrap-Up

• Review shift performance against goals and identify areas for improvement.
• Communicate key insights and handover notes to the incoming Shift Leader.
• Complete administrative tasks (e.g., waste tracking, corrective actions).
• Celebrate team successes and recognize outstanding contributions.

This position is open to people who have experience of managing and leading teams within the retail, hospitality, business or a customer focused environment. We're looking for individuals who:

• Display Leadership and role model customer focused behaviours to delight customers
• Provide a delivery of personalised service and connect with our customers
• Lead by example
• Adapt to customer needs through your team
• Answer customer queries, keeping up to date with knowledge on our food and promotions
• Use of initiative, confidence and problem solving when interacting with colleagues and customers
• Treat all colleagues and customers with courtesy and respect.

What's in it for you?

• Skills for life - Learn transferrable skills that will help you grow, whether you're full or part time.
• Employee Assistance Programme - Access counselling, mental health support, and helpful resources whenever you need them.
• Exclusive discounts - Save on shopping, travel, gym memberships, and more.
• Premium pay for some overnight hours - Extra reward for some of those late-night hours.
• Recognition and rewards - From Employee of the Month to long-service awards, we celebrate your contributions.
• Free meals on your break - Choose a meal from our restaurant menu while you recharge. (Can differ depending on location)
• Career development - Opportunities for career growth through, training, clear progression pathways and apprenticeships to help you build your future.
• And many other great benefits specific to your restaurant., perks
• Flexible Working Work hours that fit around you and life's surprises.
• wellness Employee Assistance Programme Supporting your overall wellbeing with counselling, mental health support, life management, medical guidance, and helpful resources.
• discounts Travel Enjoy staycations or trips abroad with discounts on travel fares.
• skills Gain Transferrable Skills Whether you're full-time or part-time, your role here will teach you skills for life.
• discounts Groceries & Food Employee meal discounts at work along with discounts on groceries at major supermarkets.
• wellness Emotional Health Support Supporting your mental and emotional wellbeing and coping with life events.
• perks Meals at Work You can choose food from our restaurant menu on your break and can even try the latest promotions.
• discounts Discounted Gym Memberships Stay fit and healthy with discounts on gym memberships.
• perks Financial Support Guidance on managing your finances and how to save for long term goals.
• discounts Books & Entertainment Access great discounts on PC and video games, magazines, books and music.
• perks Life Assurance Providing a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones, helping reduce financial worries at a difficult time.
• discounts Fashion Get discounts at hundreds of major high-street and online retailers.
• wellness Health Insurance Free health insurance that covers you and your family.
• discounts Health & Beauty From cosmetics to diet and nutrition, get discounts at a range of health and beauty retailers.
• recognition Employee of the month Recognising you for living our values through the great work you do.
• discounts Utilities Receive discounts at high-street and online homeware stores.
• wellness Values Heroes We live by our values and we reward those who demonstrate their commitment to them.
• recognition Length of service Your length of service doesn't go unnoticed - we reward you with monetary benefits for long service.
• wellness Physical Health Support Helping you make healthy lifestyle choices and address health issues.
• recognition Bonus Potential Receive extra financial rewards for your hard work, in addition to your salary.
• allowance Premium Shift If you work overnights, between the hours of midnight and 5am, you'll earn extra pay.