Team Leader

Counter Service; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Counter Service in New York City is seeking a Restaurant Lead to manage shifts, train the team, and ensure guest experiences in a fast-paced cafe setting. You will open/close, monitor quality and safety, and coach staff to uphold standards while maintaining labor targets.

Flexible availability including nights and weekends is expected; experience in fast-food or QSR is preferred. Salary is $23–$25 per hour, full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of restaurant or food service experience (shift lead or supervisory experience a plus).
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Calm under pressure, comfortable multitasking in a high-volume environment.
• A true team player who leads by example and hustles.
• Passion for food, hospitality, and team development.
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead Daily Operations: Manage restaurant operations during assigned shifts, ensuring smooth, on-time service.
• Open and/or close the restaurant following company procedures and checklists.
• Troubleshoot customer concerns and provide timely, effective solutions.
• Support the Restaurant Manager in maintaining labor targets, shift flow, and overall team coordination.
• Drive Food Quality & Safety: Monitor food preparation and presentation for consistency and excellence.
• Conduct line checks and taste through the line daily to uphold food standards.
• Train team members on tasting protocols and quality control practices.
• Ensure full compliance with NYC Department of Health regulations and sanitation standards.
• Team Development & Training: Onboard and train new team members; support skill development across roles.
• Deliver in-the-moment coaching and performance feedback.
• Foster a positive, high-hustle, and respectful team culture.
• Support Administrative & Operational Needs: Write and update prep lists based on par levels, sales, and menu needs.
• Assist with inventory tracking, placing orders, and receiving deliveries when delegated.
• Collaborate with management on team deployment to optimize service and labor.
• Attendance & Reliability: Maintain consistent and dependable attendance in alignment with scheduled shifts.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Team leadership

Customer service passion

Education

NYC Food Protection Certificate

Job description

About Us

Counter Service is an innovative, chef-driven restaurant brand founded by Steve Ells, the visionary behind Chipotle. We are looking for a Restaurant Lead to help drive excellence. We’re seeking passionate, detail-oriented leaders to help drive excellence in our restaurant operations. As a Restaurant Lead, you’ll play a key role in managing shifts, developing team members, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences—while preparing to grow into a future management role.

What You’ll Do

Lead Daily Operations

• Manage restaurant operations during assigned shifts, ensuring smooth, on-time service.
• Open and/or close the restaurant following company procedures and checklists.
• Troubleshoot customer concerns and provide timely, effective solutions.
• Support the Restaurant Manager in maintaining labor targets, shift flow, and overall team coordination.

Drive Food Quality & Safety

• Monitor food preparation and presentation for consistency and excellence.
• Conduct line checks and taste through the line daily to uphold food standards.
• Train team members on tasting protocols and quality control practices.
• Ensure full compliance with NYC Department of Health regulations and sanitation standards.

Team Development & Training

• Onboard and train new team members; support skill development across roles.
• Deliver in-the-moment coaching and performance feedback.
• Foster a positive, high-hustle, and respectful team culture.

Support Administrative & Operational Needs

• Write and update prep lists based on par levels, sales, and menu needs.
• Assist with inventory tracking, placing orders, and receiving deliveries when delegated.
• Collaborate with management on team deployment to optimize service and labor.

Attendance & Reliability

• Maintain consistent and dependable attendance in alignment with scheduled shifts. Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to contribute to a high-functioning production environment.

What We’re Looking For

• 1–2 years of restaurant or food service experience (shift lead or supervisory experience a plus).
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Calm under pressure, comfortable multitasking in a high-volume environment.
• A true team player who leads by example and hustles.
• Passion for food, hospitality, and team development.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate (preferred or willingness to obtain).
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Fast food or quick-service restaurant experience

Experience: Required

Employment: Full-time

Salary: $23 – $25 hourly

About Counter Service

Counter Service is a sandwich-y spot riffing on the culinary culture of NYC and putting it on bread. Good bread.. . Founded by Steve Ells (the visionary behind Chipotle) alongside fine-dining chefs, Counter Service was built to revolutionize