Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with company match

Free meals while working

Flexible schedules

Opportunities for growth into management

Job summary

Panda Restaurant Group is hiring a Kitchen Team Associate in Newport Beach, California. This role involves cooking delicious food while maintaining cleanliness and providing an exceptional dining experience for guests. Team members will thrive in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities for skill development and career progression.

The ideal candidate is friendly, adaptable, and has some high school education. The position offers competitive pay, flexible schedules, health benefits, and a supportive work atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Must be friendly and work effectively with team members.
• Operations experience is a plus.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional dining experience to guests.
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance of the store.
• Follow operations standards and safety procedures.

Skills

Friendly and helpful demeanor

Adaptability

Effective verbal communication

Education

Some high school education

Tools

Food Handler certification

Job description

Join us as a Kitchen Team Associate

We’re looking for friendly team players to cook delicious food while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness for our guests. Thrive in a safe and supportive work environment with team members who become friends. There’s always something new to learn, do, and accomplish. If you don’t have experience, we’ll train you! You’ll get opportunities to gain skills that help you rise in your career, no matter where you go. We’re all about giving back, so you’ll also get the chance to impact your community through our Panda Cares initiative. Let’s work together.

Essential Functions for Kitchen Team Associates

• Provide exceptional dining experience to guests – greeting guests, serving food, and handling payments at cash register.
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance of the store.
• Follow operations standards and safety procedures to serve fresh and quality food.
• Work efficiently in a fast‑paced kitchen environment and may perform at different positions – front counter, drive‑through or kitchen.
• Work effectively with team members to meet daily goals in a fun, positive environment.

Qualifications

• Friendly and helpful team members.
• Operations experience is a plus.
• Some high school education.
• Food Handler certification may be required depending on local requirements (acquired at your expense).

How We Reward You

• Flexible schedules.
• Great pay.
• Free meals while working at Panda.
• Medical, vision, dental, voluntary short‑term disability, cancer income protection insurance for full‑time associates.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates.
• Associate discounts for many brands.
• Referral bonus for eligible associates.
• Opportunity to give back to your community.
• Hands‑on paid training to prepare you for success.
• On‑going career & leadership development.
• Opportunities for growth into management positions.
• Pre‑tax dependent care flexible spending account.
• Details: Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf.
• Eligibility: Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.

ADA Statement

While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from the steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast‑paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.

EEO Statement

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to [e-mail].

Pay Range

Pay Range: $22 per hour - $25 per hour. Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.