LEAD OPERATOR / KITCHEN MANAGER

Melt'd is an exciting new premium delivery-only restaurant concept set to open its doors on September 21, 2026, in the vibrant neighborhood of Barrio Logan, San Diego. As a focused and modern food establishment, Melt'd specializes in creating delicious pressed wraps that are loaded with grilled chicken, crispy fries, and house-made cheese sauces. Our menu is intentionally kept small and refined, allowing us to ensure quality and consistency in every bite. By cutting out traditional dine-in services, we streamline our operations and concentrate entirely on delivering freshly prepared, crave-worthy meals directly to our customers' doors. This innovative approach positions Melt'd as a pioneer in the fast-casual delivery market, addressing the growing demand for high-quality, convenient food options without sacrificing taste or customer satisfaction.

We are currently looking for a strong, hands-on Lead Operator to join us from day one and play a pivotal role in running the daily kitchen operations and helping to build this new brand from the ground up. This role is not a typical corporate management job; instead, it offers direct reporting lines to the founder, providing meaningful input and influence on critical kitchen systems, training procedures, operational standards, and long-term company values. The Lead Operator will be empowered to lead and develop a team, contribute to shaping running procedures during the launch phase, and ensure that every dish served meets Melt'd high standards for food quality, safety, and efficiency.

The Lead Operator will be essential in managing kitchen opening and closing tasks, supervising kitchen service, training team members, managing preparation and inventory, maintaining food quality and safety standards, and monitoring operational metrics such as ticket times and kitchen efficiency. In addition to hands-on kitchen work, this role will be involved in hiring and onboarding new staff, further building the foundation for the company's future expansion.

This full-time position offers a competitive base pay starting at $26 per hour with an attractive monthly performance bonus of up to $1,000 based on metrics like sales performance, customer ratings, food quality, labor efficiency, and team performance. Working Wednesday through Sunday from 3:30 PM to 11:30 PM, the Lead Operator will thrive in a fast-paced environment while enjoying a unique opportunity to grow with the company—including potential advancement into multi-unit operations roles as Melt'd expands. Although Melt'd currently does not offer health benefits, the company is transparent about the plan to add benefits as the business grows.

Melt'd represents a rare ground-floor opportunity to join a focused, agile food service concept at the beginning of its journey. If you have restaurant leadership experience, a positive and reliable leadership style, and a passion for delivering great food consistently, Melt'd invites you to help build something exceptional in the heart of Barrio Logan. Hiring will commence in July-August 2026 to allow ample time for training and preparation, with final interviews and hands-on assessments starting in August. Join us and be part of developing a unique food brand that customers will crave for years to come.