Restaurant Operations Leader & Team Coach

El Pollo Loco; Yucca Valley (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Workstream in Paso Robles, CA is seeking an Assistant Restaurant Manager to support the General Manager in daily operations and guest experience. You will lead team members hands-on, ensure food quality and notes on safety, and help manage labor, inventory, and profitability.

The role emphasizes leading by example, maintaining standards, and delivering excellent service in a fast-paced setting. Flexible shifts including nights and weekends are common.

Qualifications

• Must have previous restaurant experience.
• Previous shift leader / supervisor / assistant manager experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and professional.
• Ability to handle guest and employee issues calmly and respectfully.
• Basic math, POS, and cash handling skills.
• Must be available to work flexible schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Food Handler Card required where applicable.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or required where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with opening and closing the restaurant and supervise daily shift operations.
• Monitor service speed, food quality, order accuracy, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and brand standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized restaurant and manage guest issues.
• Supervise cooks, cashiers, servers, and other team members during shifts.
• Assist with scheduling, labor control, and communicating concerns to the GM.
• Support food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation procedures.
• Follow cash handling and POS procedures; assist with deposits when needed.
• Assist with inventory, ordering, receiving, and cost control.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Fast-paced environment

Reliability

Punctuality

Problem solving

Education

Food Handler Certification

ServSafe Manager Certification

Tools

POS system

Cash handling

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Restaurant Manager

Reports To: General Manager / Owner

Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Location: Paso Robles CA

Position Summary

The Assistant Restaurant Manager supports the General Manager in running daily restaurant operations. This position helps manage team members, maintain food quality and customer service standards, control labor and inventory, ensure food safety compliance, and keep the restaurant clean, organized, and profitable.

The Assistant Restaurant Manager is expected to lead by example, work hands-on with the team, and help create a positive experience for guests and employees.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Operations

• Assist with opening and closing the restaurant.
• Supervise daily shift operations and ensure smooth service.
• Monitor speed of service, food quality, order accuracy, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure all company policies, procedures, and brand standards are followed.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized restaurant.
• Handle guest complaints professionally and resolve issues quickly.

Team Leadership

• Supervise cooks, cashiers, servers, and other team members during shifts.
• Train new employees on restaurant procedures, food safety, customer service, and job duties.
• Coach team members on performance, attendance, cleanliness, and professionalism.
• Assist with scheduling, shift coverage, and labor control.
• Communicate employee concerns or performance issues to the General Manager.

Food Safety & Cleanliness

• Ensure all food is prepared, stored, and served according to health department standards.
• Monitor food temperatures, holding times, labeling, dating, and storage procedures.
• Make sure cleaning checklists and sanitation procedures are completed.
• Follow all safety procedures for equipment, chemicals, and workplace hazards.
• Report maintenance or equipment issues immediately.

Cash Handling & Reporting

• Follow proper cash handling and POS procedures.
• Count drawers, process refunds/voids correctly, and prepare deposits when assigned.
• Complete opening, closing, and shift reports accurately.
• Help monitor sales, labor, food cost, waste, and inventory.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Assist with ordering, receiving, and storing food and supplies.
• Help complete inventory counts as assigned.
• Monitor product waste, portion control, and proper use of ingredients.
• Support efforts to control labor, food cost, and operating expenses.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant experience required.
• Previous shift leader, supervisor, or assistant manager experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and professional.
• Ability to handle guest and employee issues calmly and respectfully.
• Basic math, POS, and cash handling skills.
• Must be available to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Food Handler Card required where applicable.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or required where applicable.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25–50 lbs as needed.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and move quickly during shifts.
• Ability to work around hot equipment, cold storage, sharp tools, and cleaning chemicals.

We believe that good food feeds more than just our appetites. It nourishes the soul.
Good food brings us together. And connects us to something larger than ourselves.
We believe that sitting down and sharing a meal prepared with time, love and quality ingredients makes us all feel like family.
And when that happens, the world is a better place.