Kitchen Shift Lead

Ecusta Market & Cafe; Hendersonville (NC); On-site; USD 27,552 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts on market and café goods

Opportunities for growth

Job summary

A local grocery and café in Hendersonville, NC is seeking an experienced shift leader for their back-of-house team. The ideal candidate should have previous kitchen experience and be motivated to work in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include overseeing kitchen line flow, ensuring food quality, and supporting team training. The role requires evenings and weekends availability and offers a supportive work environment with employee discounts and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Prior kitchen experience required (line cook, prep cook, or similar).
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Always available for evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen line flow and ensure all stations stay stocked and prepped.
• Maintain food quality, consistency, and presentation standards.
• Support training of new cooks and ensure team follows recipe standards.

Skills

Multitasking

Team-oriented

Good attitude

Reliability

Job description

Compensation: $20-$23/hr based on experience

About Us

Ecusta Market & Cafe is a neighborhood grocery and café located just outside downtown on the Ecusta Trail in Hendersonville, NC. We focus on high-quality, locally sourced goods and a casual but exceptional café experience. We operate a busy, high-volume, counter-service cafe, some days doing 400-500 covers over three services. Our kitchen team plays a key role in creating delicious food made with care —breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced, thoughtful shift leader for our BOH team. Ideal candidates are reliable, efficient, and motivated to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Previous kitchen experience is required. Nights and weekends (including Sundays) are required. Gratitude, teamwork, and attention to detail are at the heart of everything we do.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen line flow and ensure all stations stay stocked and prepped
• Active presence cooking on line, especially in rushes.
• Maintain food quality, consistency, and presentation standards
• Track ticket times and get food sent out in a timely manner
• Communicate clearly with FOH and MOD on 86s and any other notable service issues
• Assign tasks to cooks and dish team as needed throughout the shift
• Monitor food safety, sanitation, temps, and proper storage
• Lead opening or closing procedures depending on shift
• Handle minor customer issues relayed from FOH regarding food quality
• Track prep pars and communicate shortages or overproduction to Kitchen Manager
• Ensure cleanliness of kitchen, equipment, and walk‑ins throughout the shift
• Support training of new cooks and ensure team follows recipe standards
• Communicate maintenance issues or equipment problems immediately
• Make prep lists and assist KM with kitchen ordering
• Uphold health codes and follow all safety procedures
• Set the pace and model professionalism, urgency, and teamwork
• Maintain a positive attitude, even during busy rushes, setting the tone for the rest of the team.

Qualifications

• Good attitude is important.
• Prior kitchen experience required (line cook, prep cook, or similar).
• Ability to multitask and stay focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Always available for evenings and weekends. We close at 8:00 and kitchen is generally out by 9:30 latest.

What We Offer

• A fun, supportive, community-focused work environment.
• Employee discounts on market and café goods.
• Opportunities for growth within the café and market team.

How to Apply

Send your resume (or a quick summary of your experience) to [e-mail] and tell us a little bit about why you’d be a good fit.

Ecusta Market & Cafe is an equal opportunity employer.