Kitchen Manager

LPQ USA LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401k with match

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Team member discounts

Job summary

Convive Brands’ Le Pain Quotidien in Washington, DC is seeking a Kitchen Lead to direct a team in preparing and executing all menu items while upholding food safety standards.

You will manage labor within budget, monitor food costs, assist with inventory, and work with the General Manager to recruit and train staff. Competitive hourly pay with tips is offered, along with benefits.

Qualifications

• 6 to 12 months of related restaurant experience or training.
• Food Handler’s Certification or ability to acquire.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen team in the preparation and execution of all menu items.
• Maintain knowledge of menu items, including proper storage and preparation.
• Ensure completion of food safety checklists to ensure proper food handling.
• Manage labor deployment and ensure hourly labor is within parameters of set labor budget.
• Maintain and manage food cost within the restaurant.
• Monitor and maintain proper food par levels and use prep sheets to prepare correct levels of food.
• Assist General Manager in completing inventory.
• Handle any team member situations with genuine empathy and elevate to the General Manager as necessary.
• Complete all opening, mid, and closing procedures; direct kitchen team to ensure completion of all daily checklist and side work assignments.
• Partners with General Manager to recruit, interview, hire, train, and retain a kitchen team.
• Keep all areas of the restaurant clean and organized by following cleaning checklists.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and ensure it is kept in good repair.

Skills

Flexibility

Administrative skills

English proficiency

Job description

Be home in time for dinner! At Le Pain Quotidien, we believe exceptional hospitality starts with purpose, in our ingredients, our standards, and how we care for people. When you join LPQ, you become part of a 35‑year‑old beloved brand built on warmth, community, and connection. At Le Pain Quotidien, our teams are at the heart of the guest experience. We’re looking for team members who take pride in hospitality, enjoy working in a warm and welcoming environment, and want to be part of a team that supports one another. With opportunities to grow, and a culture built around community and connection, LPQ offers a restaurant environment where you will build skills, feel valued, and take pride in the work you do every day. As part of Convive Brands, you’ll have opportunities to grow your career across a portfolio of restaurant concepts, including California Pizza Kitchen and Little Beet. At LPQ, you’re not just working a job, you’re joining a place where you can develop your skills and career, take pride in your work, and be part of building a strong community.

Job Description Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen team in the preparation and execution of all menu items
• Maintain full knowledge of menu items, including proper storage and preparation
• Ensure completion of food safety checklists to ensure proper food handling
• Manage labor deployment and ensure hourly labor is within parameters of set labor budget
• Maintain and manage food cost within the restaurant
• Monitor and maintain proper food par levels and use prep sheets to prepare correct levels of food
• Assist General Manager in completing inventory
• Handle any team member situations with genuine empathy and elevate to the General Manager as necessary
• Complete all opening, mid, and closing procedures; direct kitchen team to ensure completion of all daily checklist and side work assignments
• Partners with General Manager to recruit, interview, hire, train, and retain a kitchen team
• Keep all areas of the restaurant clean and organized by following cleaning checklists
• Monitor kitchen equipment and ensure it is kept in good repair

Qualifications

• 6 to 12 months of related restaurant experience or training
• Food Handler’s Certification or ability to acquire
• Flexibility in schedule is highly preferred but not required
• General administrative and computer skills strongly preferred
• Ability to speak, read, and understand the primary language(s) of the work location

Benefits

• Enrollment in Company-contributed health coverage plan
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• 401k with up to 4% match after ninety days (90) of employment
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (in applicable States)
• Team member discounts at all our brands
• The hourly pay range (plus tips, when eligible) is: $18.50 - $24.00

Convive Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected class. Convive Brands celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At Le Pain Quotidien, you can build your skills and career while still having a life outside of work. We’re a Belgian bakery and restaurant known for warm hospitality, great food, and bringing people together. Join a team where you can take pride in your work, grow with purpose, and feel supported along the way.