Job Overview

The Nitro Bar Job Description: Kitchen Shift Lead

As a Nitro Bar Kitchen Shift Lead, you are the leader on the floor and the Store Manager’s on-shift representative.  Shift Leads help ensure the kitchen runs efficiently by leading by example, supporting your team, and maintaining consistent, high-quality food production. Reporting directly to the Kitchen Manager, you oversee daily kitchen operations, help teammates execute recipes and prep tasks to standard, and maintain a clean, safe, and organized workspace. 

Beyond running the shift, Shift Leads grows the team by coaching, training, and setting a clear example.  They own the shift from open to close and are accountable for how it goes. You contribute to a positive team environment and warm guest experience in our open-kitchen setting.

Core Expectations

  • Lead with Warmth: Set a positive, welcoming tone for guests and teammates, and support people before they need to ask

  • Execute to Standard: Hold yourself and the team to Nitro Bar’s recipes, service, and cleanliness standards on every shift.

  • Be a Team Player: Communicate openly, follow through, and help the people around you succeed.

Kitchen Operations

  • Ensure all recipes are built exactly to spec, maintaining consistent quality across all locations.

  • Oversee daily prep, cooking, and production tasks to ensure smooth service flow.

  • Confirm equipment is functioning properly and report issues immediately to the Kitchen Manager.

  • Maintain clean, organized workstations and storage areas; follow FIFO for all ingredients.

  • Assist with daily kitchen setup and breakdown to support efficiency and readiness.

Running the Shift

  • Own the shift from start to finish, setting the pace and keeping service smooth.

  • Delegate and assign stations based on team strengths, rotating as needed for flow and development.

  • Monitor sales and traffic against the schedule, and make judgment calls on early cuts when demand doesn't match staffing, within labor guidelines set by the Store Manager.

  • Own the opening and closing task lists and be accountable for their full, accurate completion.

  • Ensure daily and weekly cleaning and side tasks are completed, delegating where needed and jumping in to help.

  • Ensure recipes, food builds, and café standards are followed consistently.

  • Keep the kitchen and prep area clean, stocked, and organized, using downtime to prepare for the next rush.

  • Ensure personal phones stay off the floor so the team remains focused on service.

  • Follow and enforce food safety and sanitation standards.

Guest Experience

  • Greet guests warmly and engage with openness and patience.

  • Handle guest concerns and disputes calmly and kindly. Listen fully, acknowledge their experience, and resolve the issue to Nitro Bar's standards through a remake, refund, or other reasonable solution.

  • Step in when a teammate needs help with a guest interaction, and let them lead when they're handling it well.

Communication

  • Keep the Store Manager informed on shift performance, team concerns, and anything that needs follow-up.

  • Report inventory issues and outs, equipment and mechanical problems, and facility issues to management promptly.

  • Coordinate with FOH about ticket times, 86ed items, and on online order timing.

  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with peers, sharing information between shifts so nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Listen to team concerns, address what you can, and escalate to the Store Manager when appropriate.

  • Help the Store Manager roll out new policies, procedures, operational changes, and menu updates.

Coaching and Training

  • Know the ins and outs of service, the shop, and all equipment well enough to teach them confidently.

  • Lead the training and onboarding of new hires, following Nitro Bar's training plan.

  • Coach team members in the moment with clear, constructive, and encouraging feedback.

  • Help grow the team by recognizing strengths, building skills, and preparing people for more responsibility.

  • Share observations on team member performance and development with the Store Manager.

Deliveries and Inventory

  • Oversee deliveries, ensuring product is checked in and put away quickly, neatly, and according to FIFO.

  • Track daily production inventory and communicate needs, low stock, outs, and other inventory issues to the Store Manager before they affect service.

Senior Shift Lead: Additional Responsibilities

  • Place smaller and routine orders as assigned by the Store Manager.

  • Assist with monthly store inventory counts and support the Store Manager with larger orders.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact on shifts when the Store Manager is unavailable.

Requirements

  • Open availability, including weekends.

  • Able to open and close the kitchen.

  • Able to cover shifts when the Store Manager is not present.

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