Kitchen Lead: Lead Kitchen, Grow Skills, Discounts

Hometown-Coffee-; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Food & beverage discounts

Opportunities for advancement

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Hometown Coffee & Juice in Northbrook seeks a Kitchen Lead to guide our back-of-house operations, ensuring high-quality food and a positive team environment. You will lead by example, support teammates, and uphold our standards that make our cafe beloved in the community.

You will train and mentor staff, coordinate with prep and smoothie teams, and maintain food safety and cost controls while delivering a great customer experience.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in a kitchen leadership role (or equivalent).
• ServSafe certification preferred (can be obtained upon hiring).
• Ability to multitask and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations during prep and service, ensuring food is prepared to recipe standards and served promptly.
• Manage ticket flow and station organization to maintain efficiency and consistency.
• Take initiative to solve problems and support the team during peak hours.
• Foster a collaborative and respectful kitchen culture.
• Train and mentor new team members, helping them understand our values and standards.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with all team members.
• Ensure all food is prepared and presented according to quality standards and safety protocols.
• Follow food safety and sanitation protocols, including FIFO and allergen awareness.
• Monitor and maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization.
• Support the front-of-house team by ensuring timely and consistent food delivery.
• Maintain high standards that contribute to a positive customer experience.
• Work closely with prep and smoothie teams to coordinate ingredients and service flow.
• Communicate stock levels, special requests, and operational issues to management.
• Monitor inventory and assist with ordering and receiving supplies.
• Follow portion control guidelines to reduce waste and manage food costs.
• Ensure proper storage and rotation of ingredients.
• Learn, teach, and live Hometown’s culture and standards.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Education

ServSafe certification preferred

Job description

Hometown Coffee & Juice in Northbrook seeks a Kitchen Lead to guide our back-of-house operations, ensuring high-quality food and a positive team environment. You will lead by example, support teammates, and uphold our standards that make our cafe beloved in the community.

You will train and mentor staff, coordinate with prep and smoothie teams, and maintain food safety and cost controls while delivering a great customer experience.