Kitchen Lead — Café Operations & Team Training

Equator Coffees; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commuter Benefits - pre-tax parking &

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - r

Free mental health app

Employee discount on merchandise, gear

Continuing coffee education classes

Free coffee

Paid Time Off for voting

Job summary

Equator Coffees is seeking a Kitchen Lead - Retail Cafe for our Round House location in California. The role emphasizes high standards of food quality, safety, and organization, while leading by example and training the team.

This working lead position focuses on daily kitchen operations, collaboration with the GM and retail team, and contributing to seasonal menus and events. The ideal candidate has 2+ years BOH experience and strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of BOH experience; lead or supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Strong food safety knowledge and current Food Handler Card required
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, prep techniques, and cooking procedures
• Ability to maintain a clean, efficient, and organized kitchen under pressure
• Excellent communication and follow-through
• Works well independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrates leadership, maturity, and professionalism
• Experience reviewing financial reports and meeting budgets
• Able to work full time (the work regularly demands more than 45 hours per week) including variable hours such as early morning, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Ability to lead change, deal with ambiguity, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with POS touch screen, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other computer skills
• Minimum High School or GED
• Must be 16 years of age or older

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen prep and execution during service, ensuring consistent quality and presentation
• Maintain back-of-house standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and organization
• Collaborate with the GM on kitchen schedules by providing input on team availability and operational needs
• Place vendor orders and manage vendor relationships to ensure quality, timeliness, and competitive pricing
• Perform inventory counts and manage product rotation to minimize waste
• Lead the team in food safety and sanitation practices, modeling correct procedures
• Support the training and onboarding of new BOH staff; demonstrate prep methods and kitchen systems in alignment with standards
• Collaborate with GM and retail team on seasonal menus, specials, and café events
• Support recipe development and documentation in collaboration with retail operations
• Communicate proactively with GM regarding team performance, scheduling needs, or kitchen-related concerns
• Act as a key contributor to a positive and supportive kitchen culture

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Food safety

Teamwork

Independence

Maturity

Budget awareness

Flexibility

POS experience

Computers

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

POS touch screen

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Equator Coffees is seeking a Kitchen Lead - Retail Cafe for our Round House location in California. The role emphasizes high standards of food quality, safety, and organization, while leading by example and training the team.

This working lead position focuses on daily kitchen operations, collaboration with the GM and retail team, and contributing to seasonal menus and events. The ideal candidate has 2+ years BOH experience and strong leadership and communication skills.