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Kitchen Leader

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
Part-time
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Compensation

Hourly
Range $14.55 - $16.20
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
Flexible
Day Shifts
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Benefits

Tuition Assistance
Free Food
Medical insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Digital Tips
Paid Time Off
holiday closures
competitive compensation
Opportunities for advancement

Job Description

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is a renowned fast-casual restaurant chain that is dedicated to cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food made with wholesome ingredients, without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Chipotle operates a significant number of restaurants across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Unique among restaurant companies of its size, Chipotle owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe, giving it distinct control over quality, customer service, and overall operational standards. The brand is well-known not only for its delicious food but also for its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and innovative technology integration, which further fuels its mission to make better food accessible to everyone. Chipotle has a passionate team of employees focused on delivering great guest experiences, and it fosters a culture centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company provides an equal opportunity work environment where all qualified applicants, irrespective of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are also provided to applicants with disabilities to ensure equal participation in the hiring process.

The opportunity at Chipotle for the role of Kitchen Leader is an exciting chance for individuals passionate about food preparation, quality, and teamwork. This position involves hands-on work in preparing great food, including grilling meats, sautéing vegetables, and ensuring everything meets Chipotle's high standards of deliciousness and food safety. The Kitchen Leader is a crucial part of the restaurant's back-of-house operations and plays a pivotal role in maintaining kitchen cleanliness, organization, and equipment maintenance. Beyond the operational duties, the Kitchen Leader serves as a role model and mentor to Crew members, helping train and develop future leaders who can uphold Chipotle's Food With Integrity philosophy. This leadership position demands balancing the fast pace of a vibrant kitchen environment while promoting teamwork, high-quality customer experiences, and adherence to safety standards.

Kitchen Leaders are responsible for ordering food supplies and maintaining inventory levels, ensuring that food waste is minimized, and that the kitchen operates efficiently. They take the lead in fostering strong communication between back-of-house and front-of-house teams, providing excellent service continuity and contributing to an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated. The role requires constant attention to detail, including monitoring kitchen equipment to ensure it is in good working order and addressing any issues promptly to avoid disruptions. Kitchen Leaders also handle critical administrative duties like completing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and inventory rotation (FIFO), ensuring compliance with all safety regulations to prevent injuries or accidents within the kitchen. The position offers an active, on-your-feet work experience that is both physically engaging and mentally rewarding, perfect for those passionate about food and leadership.

In addition to a competitive compensation package, Chipotle offers numerous benefits including tuition assistance covering 100% for select degrees or up to $5,250 per year, free food during shifts, comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, digital tips, paid time off, holiday closures, and opportunities for advancement — with the majority of managers having started as Crew members. Working at Chipotle means being part of a forward-thinking company that values personal and professional growth, embraces technology and sustainability, and prioritizes a positive, inclusive culture that cultivates a better world through better food.

Job Requirements

  • Have a high school diploma
  • Have restaurant experience
  • Ability to understand and articulate Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy
  • Knowledge and ability to speak, write, and understand the primary language(s) of the work location

Job Qualifications

  • Have a high school diploma
  • Have restaurant experience
  • Ability to understand and articulate Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy
  • Knowledge and ability to speak, write, and understand the primary language(s) of the work location

Job Duties

  • Ensuring food quality by cooking and prepping food to order and following kitchen procedures
  • Monitoring food waste and inventory levels and resolving food quality issues
  • Supporting a strong team dynamic between back of house Crew and front of house Crew
  • Developing Crew members to be future Kitchen Leaders
  • Communicating with Crew members and customers effectively to ensure great customer service and throughput
  • Ensuring the kitchen is properly cleaned and sanitized
  • Monitoring kitchen equipment and ensuring it is kept in good repair
  • making sure malfunctioning equipment is repaired as quickly as possible
  • Ensuring that the kitchen itself and all Crew members meet the necessary guidelines to ensure there are no injuries or accidents
  • Filling out Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Inventory Rotation (FIFO)

Job Criteria

Experience

Entry Level (1-2 years)


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