Kitchen Manager Hourly - LPQ

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 match

Commuter benefits

Employee discounts

Job summary

Le Pain Quotidien in Washington, DC is seeking a Kitchen Team Lead to oversee the preparation and execution of all menu items, monitor food safety, and manage labor within budget. You will recruit, train, and retain a kitchen team, ensure inventory accuracy, and collaborate with the General Manager.

Experience 6–12 months, food handler certification preferred; competitive hourly pay plus tips. Join Convive Brands’ portfolio and contribute to a warm, guest-focused environment while supporting

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.

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.

Skills

Restaurant experience

Food handler certification

Flexible schedule

Administrative skills

Language in work locale

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.

The Little Beet is raising the bar in the quick service industry. We give people access to simple, nutritious, and crave‑able food – fast! So, that anyone can eat well on the go. We want everyone to eat our food all the time because food should make you happy and make you feel good. The experience of going out to buy food should be effortless and enjoyable. This is what we stand for and our team culture, like our food, is one that fosters growth and makes you feel good.

Convive Brands is a New York-based hospitality group that builds and operates high-quality restaurant brands. Convive operates 60+ restaurants nationwide across three concepts: Le Pain Quotidien, Little Beet, and Little Beet Table. As a patient, long‑term investor-operator, it aims to build significant enterprise value through both organic growth and acquisition.