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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 $17.15 - $19.06
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Work Schedule

Flexible
Day Shifts
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Benefits

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

Job Description

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a renowned fast-casual restaurant chain that has revolutionized the fast-food industry by prioritizing responsibly sourced, classically cooked real food with wholesome ingredients, all without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Founded with a commitment to cultivating a better world, Chipotle not only serves delicious meals but also actively supports sustainable farming and food initiatives, making a significant impact on the food industry. With locations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, Chipotle stands out as the only restaurant company of its size to own and operate all its restaurants in North America and Europe. This unique business model enables the brand to maintain consistent quality and demonstrates its leadership in sustainability, digital innovation, and customer experience.

As a values-driven, people-first company, Chipotle promotes a workplace culture centered on respect, diversity, and opportunity for all employees. The company is committed to equal employment practices and strives to create environments where every individual, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender identity, or any protected characteristic, is empowered to reach their full potential. Chipotle’s dedication extends to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities, ensuring a fair and accessible hiring process.

The Kitchen Leader role at Chipotle offers an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the kitchen operations, ensuring the preparation of high-quality food with precision and care. This position is ideal for individuals passionate about food and leadership who aspire to grow within the organization. Kitchen Leaders learn the art of cooking, including grilling meats and sautéing vegetables, while maintaining the restaurant’s rigorous food safety and quality standards. Beyond culinary skills, they are also responsible for overseeing inventory management, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring that all kitchen equipment functions properly and safely.

More than just a managerial role, Kitchen Leaders serve as mentors and role models to Crew members, fostering a strong team dynamic and driving the future of kitchen leadership by training and developing staff. Their leadership ensures not only that food quality remains exceptional but also that customer service excels, ensuring smooth operations between the kitchen and front-of-house employees. The role demands adaptability and proactive teamwork, with leaders often pitching in to assist teammates and handle tasks to achieve the station’s goals.

This position is full-time and includes competitive compensation with base pay ranging from $17.15 to $19.06 per hour, supplemented by digital tips. Chipotle enhances this attractive pay package with a comprehensive benefits suite, including tuition assistance, free food, medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, holiday closures, and opportunities for advancement—with 80% of managers beginning their careers as crew members. The Kitchen Leader role presents a pathway for growth in a dynamic company that continues to lead innovations in food service and sustainability, making it an excellent choice for candidates who want to cultivate a successful career while contributing to a better food future and a better world.

Job Requirements

  • High school diploma
  • previous restaurant experience
  • ability to understand and articulate Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy
  • ability to speak, write, and understand the primary language(s) of the work location
  • willingness to work on feet for extended periods
  • ability to follow safety and sanitation guidelines

Job Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • previous restaurant experience
  • ability to understand and articulate Chipotle’s Food With Integrity philosophy
  • strong communication skills in the primary language(s) of the work location
  • leadership and team development skills

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 and 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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