Kitchen Team Leader

The Kitchen Team Leader is a hands-on leadership role based in Potsdam (22:00 shift). This position is for an experienced kitchen professional who cooks daily leads by example and ensures high operational and quality standards while managing and developing the kitchen team.

This is not a purely managerial role. We strongly believe in a lead by example philosophy.

• Actively participate in daily food preparation and cooking
• Oversee all aspects of daily kitchen operations
• Ensure full compliance with Bella & Bona policies inventory procedures and all applicable HACCP guidelines
• Perform daily line checks before production and detailed station closings
• Monitor food holding and refrigeration temperature control points
• Coordinate with the City Manager to create maintain and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Lead the kitchen team by working side by side with them
• Plan organize direct coordinate schedule and delegate responsibilities to kitchen staff
• Supervise and support team members during service and prep
• Ensure daily kitchen KPIs are met (quality productivity waste punctuality)
• Evaluate employee performance and provide regular guidance and feedback
• Train staff on:
  • Safe operation of kitchen equipment and utensils
  • Cleanliness and sanitation standards
  • Bella & Bona systems and procedures
• Make sure all team members have the right tools knowledge and equipment to work safely and effectively

• Oversee daily prep to ensure the right product quantities and Bella & Bona quality standards
• Ensure prep lists are completed accurately and communicated clearly
• Maintain consistency by enforcing standard recipes and preparation methods

• Control food costs and usage through:
  • Proper procedures
  • Standard recipes
  • Waste reduction practices
• Assist with daily and weekly inventory counts and communicate results to management

• Manage daily and weekly deep cleaning schedules
• Ensure proper cleaning of:
  • Floors mats walls hoods
  • Equipment and food storage areas
• Oversee facility maintenance duties and ensure a clean safe kitchen environment at all times

• At least 2 years of proven experience as a professional cook (Chef de Partie or similar hands-on kitchen role)
• Advanced cooking skills and solid technical kitchen knowledge
• Proven experience working actively on the line (prep & service)
• Previous experience leading or coordinating a kitchen team
• Strong knowledge of hygiene standards and HACCP practices
• Strong Communication skills
• Confident working with Excel
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Hands-on mindset: this is an operational role not a desk-based position

• Candidates without professional kitchen experience
• Profiles focused only on management or administration
• People who lead from the office instead of the kitchen floor

• Mission-driven and long-term oriented: we focus on building a sustainable company with a clear purpose while continuously improving how we work and deliver value
• Strong sense of teamwork: we collaborate across teams and locations support each other and take shared responsibility for our results
• Open proactive and respectful communication: we value clarity ownership and a solution-oriented approach in our daily work
• Reliable and committed working style: we take pride in delivering high-quality results in a dynamic environment while maintaining a positive team culture
• Continuous learning and improvement mindset: we encourage curiosity adaptability and personal growth through hands-on learning and feedback
• Customer-centric approach: our mission is to use technology and operational excellence to provide office teams with healthy delicious and convenient meals