Shift Leader

NAYA - Kendall Square; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and weekly tips

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Commuter benefits

Employee discounts and free meals

Growth opportunities

Job summary

A vibrant Middle Eastern restaurant in Massachusetts is looking for experienced Shift Leaders to guide their team and ensure operational excellence. You will oversee food and beverage preparation, manage schedules, and lead by example in providing top-notch customer service. Ideal candidates should have 2+ years of leadership experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment. NAYA offers competitive pay, weekly tips, and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of related leadership experience in a similar environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds regularly.

Responsibilities

• Lead team members in efficient operations and customer service.
• Drive sales, manage costs, and ensure a positive environment.
• Hire, train, and evaluate team members.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Customer service

Adaptability

Tools

Microsoft Office

Gmail

Job description

At NAYA, we’re on an exciting journey - growing fast, sharing authentic, fresh and nutritious Middle Eastern flavors, and building a team that grows right along with us.

We are looking for experienced, passionate Shift Leaders to grow with us!

At NAYA, your development is our priority — we train, mentor, and promote from within because we believe our people are the heart of our success. If you’re a natural leader who loves great food, thrives in a team environment, and is excited to build your future with a brand on the rise, we want to meet you!

If you’re ready to lead with heart, inspire others, and be part of something bigger, NAYA is the place to make it happen.

Reports to: General Manager

You will love working at NAYA

We believe great people deserve great rewards. NAYA offers a comprehensive and people-focused benefits package designed to support you at work and beyond, including:

• Competitive pay and Weekly TIPS to recognize your impact
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy and thriving
• Commuter benefits to make life easier
• Employee discounts and free NAYA meals — because we believe in enjoying what we serve
• Growth opportunities at every level — we invest in developing leaders from within
• More on the way!

At NAYA, you’ll find more than a job — you’ll find a community that values you, supports your goals, and celebrates your success.

How You’ll Impact

The Shift Leader is responsible for leading the team members in running an efficient operation, providing excellent customer service, assisting with day-to-day store operations, maintaining high store standards and conditions, and fostering a positive environment.

What You’ll Do

Operational Excellence

• Ensure store profitability by driving sales, controlling labor, and managing cost of goods.
• Oversee preparation and service of all food and beverage items, ensuring they meet NAYA’s recipes, portioning, and quality standards.
• Manage daily shift schedules to ensure proper clock in/out times and adjust schedules where appropriate based on sales volumes.
• Conduct ordering, monthly inventory, and control stock levels for food, equipment, and supplies.
• Review and manage daily time punches to address any time clock issues.
• Control cash and receipts through adherence to cash handling and reconciliation procedures.
• Complete and submit administrative tasks promptly, including guest incidents, worker’s compensation claims, manager checklists, cashier/deposit trackers and communication logs.

Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members in conjunction with the General Manager.
• Lead by example with a guest-first mindset, fostering a positive and productive environment.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings to communicate expectations, share guest feedback, and celebrate team successes.
• Ensure staff compliance with labor laws, including FWW guidelines, and manage meal breaks.
• Resolve conflicts and elevate issues as needed to the General Manager.
• Model and uphold HR policies, ensuring team members have access to available resources.
• Develop team members by training successors and delegating responsibilities.

Guest Relations & Community Engagement

• Actively engage with guests, building relationships and addressing complaints with a solutions-focused approach.
• React to and assist with recovery actions or rewards to negative/positive online reviews to maintain NAYA’s community reputation.
• Promote NAYA’s catering services and assist in taking orders as needed.
• Execute all catering and third-party orders with ease, understanding the importance of on-time delivery.
• Make eye contact, greet guests warmly, and ensure the team upholds these standards.

Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

• Utilize financial reporting tools to monitor and manage sales, labor, and other key metrics.
• Perform cash counting, banking/deposit tasks, and manage discounts and promotions.
• Handle guest incidents and worker’s compensation reports when necessary.

Additional Skills & Abilities

• Has mastered kitchen operations, COGS and labor management, line service and throughput.
• Handle delivery issues and third-party dispatches promptly and efficiently.
• Ensure the store is opened and closed following NAYA’s opening and closing procedures.
• Serve as a strong role model, earning team respect and providing coaching as needed.

Who You Are

• 2+ years of related leadership experience at a similar caliber concept.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be proficient in English (spoken and written) to perform essential job duties.
• Adaptable in a fast-paced and challenging work environment.
• Takes and gives direction well and is able to perform the essential job functions under pressure while maintaining professionalism.
• Communicates information effectively and efficiently and approaches their work with a sense of ownership and works with a sense of urgency.
• Exhibits strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates positive leadership characteristics that inspires team members to meet and exceed standards.
• Ability to utilize traditional software programs such as Gmail, Microsoft Office and any additional systems as needed.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Able to work nights, weekends and holidays, and variable schedule, per the needs of the business.
• Able to lift at least 50 pounds on a regular basis and bend, stoop, stand and perform extensive walking for 8-10 hours a day.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.