Kitchen Team Lead

Balls Foods; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Balls Foods is seeking a passionate Kitchen Manager to join the Hen House team in Olathe, Kansas. The ideal candidate will oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality food preparation and excellent guest service while leading a motivated team.

This role requires 2+ years of experience in kitchen, deli, or prepared foods, and the ability to work flexible hours. A commitment to food safety and teamwork is essential, along with a deep passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of kitchen, deli, or prepared foods experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and health department regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation and cooking.
• Ensure timely production of deli items and maintain efficient workflow.
• Train team members on food safety and sanitation standards.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Leadership

Inventory management

Customer service

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience

Job description

We are seeking a passionate, high-energy Kitchen Manager to join our team at Hen House. In this role, you'll bring energy and ownership to the kitchen—driving consistency, inspiring your team, and delivering fresh, high-quality ready‑to‑eat offerings that elevate the guest experience and keep customers coming back.

At Hen House, we're more than a grocery store—we're a team committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences through quality products, strong teamwork, and consistent execution. As part of the Balls Food Stores family, we offer the stability of a locally owned company with deep community roots.

This is a great fit for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, loves working with food, and is motivated by building a strong team, delivering great results, and creating a kitchen operation they can truly take pride in.

Key Responsibilities & Job Duties

• Provide friendly, helpful, and respectful guest service while ensuring a positive food service experience
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and product presentation
• Ensure timely production of deli items such as sandwiches, salads, hot foods, grab‑and‑go meals, and catering orders
• Maintain efficient kitchen workflow during peak service hours and support overall department execution
• Monitor portion control, product consistency, and minimize food waste
• Supervise and direct team members, ensuring accountability, productivity, and consistent execution
• Train team members on recipes, prep procedures, food safety, and sanitation standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment at all times
• Enforce all food safety, sanitation, labeling, and rotation standards to ensure compliance
• Prepare for and support health inspections and ensure adherence to all local regulations
• Manage inventory levels, order supplies, and track product usage to support availability and reduce shrink
• Support food and labor cost control efforts in partnership with department leadership
• Ensure consistency in recipes, food quality, and presentation standards
• Assist with menu execution, seasonal items, and continuous improvement of offerings
• Support scheduling, task delegation, and shift execution to meet operational needs
• Communicate clearly with store leadership and collaborate across departments to support store goals
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures, including attendance, conduct, and safety standards
• Support loss prevention efforts and maintain awareness of cost controls
• Remain hands‑on and productive during all shifts, stepping in as needed to support the team
• Other job duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience
• Required: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Required: 2+ years of kitchen, deli, or prepared foods experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities
• Preferred: Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations
• Preferred: Experience with inventory management, ordering, and food cost control