Kitchen Lead - Full-time / Part-time

KITCHEN LEAD Reports to: Food & Beverage Manager / Executive Manager Position Type: Full-Time | Year-Round Schedule: Weekdays, Weekends, Holidays & Peak Events Required ABOUT ADVENTURE PARK Our Mission We will provide the highest quality of fun, food, attractions, and service to all our guests—and that is determined by having quality people in place like you and your fellow team members. We believe the small details will have a BIG impact! Our Purpose Adventure Park provides fun and memories to families, impacting and inspiring our community. Our Vision Creating lasting memories through fun, connection, and celebrations. Who We Are We are locally owned, we love our community, we love our team, and we love our park. Adventure Park is more than an entertainment destination. We are a place where families celebrate, friends connect, teams work together, and guests create memories that last. Behind every great food experience is a great kitchen team—and we believe great food starts with great people, great preparation, and great standards. ARE YOU A KITCHEN LEADER WHO THRIVES UNDER PRESSURE? Adventure Park is looking for an energetic, hands-on Kitchen Lead who can keep the kitchen running smoothly while helping the team deliver great food quickly, safely, and consistently. This is not a position for someone who wants to stand on the sidelines. We are looking for a working leader who is comfortable jumping on the line, helping with prep, solving problems, coaching team members, and keeping things moving when the kitchen gets busy. If you can lead by example, stay calm during a rush, hold people accountable, and still keep a positive attitude, we'd love to meet you. POSITION SUMMARY The Kitchen Lead oversees the day-to-day back-of-house operations of Adventure Park's restaurant and café. This position is responsible for maintaining food quality, safety, speed, cleanliness, and consistency while supporting a positive and energetic team environment. The Kitchen Lead works hands-on in food preparation and line execution while directing workflow, assigning stations, training employees, monitoring food safety, and ensuring the kitchen is prepared for both busy peak periods and slower operating days. This role requires someone who can lead from the front, make decisions quickly, and take ownership of the kitchen. WHAT YOU'LL DO Daily Kitchen Operations • Lead kitchen staff during operating hours and ensure smooth, efficient workflow. • Work hands-on in food preparation, cooking, plating, and line execution. • Prepare menu items according to standardized recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards. • Monitor cooking times, ticket flow, order accuracy, and food quality. • Keep the kitchen moving efficiently during high-volume periods. • Adjust workflow and staffing priorities based on business volume. • Ensure stations are properly stocked and prepared before service. • Complete opening, closing, and daily kitchen procedures. • Step into any kitchen position when needed to support the team. Staff Leadership & Training • Lead, train, coach, and support kitchen team members. • Help train seasonal and new employees to Adventure Park's kitchen standards. • Assign daily tasks, stations, prep responsibilities, and cleaning duties. • Ensure team members understand recipes, procedures, safety standards, and expectations. • Lead by example with a positive, professional, and hardworking attitude. • Provide feedback and address performance concerns appropriately. • Help create a respectful, team-oriented kitchen environment. • Recognize employees who demonstrate strong performance and teamwork. • Help ensure appropriate staffing levels during operating hours. Food Safety & Sanitation • Maintain strict compliance with health codes, food safety standards, and Adventure Park policies. • Follow proper food handling, preparation, storage, and temperature-control procedures. • Monitor and maintain required temperature logs. • Ensure proper food rotation using FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures. • Maintain clean and sanitary workstations, equipment, storage areas, and kitchen floors. • Ensure cleaning and sanitation procedures are completed properly and on schedule. • Immediately report food safety, sanitation, or equipment concerns to management. • Promote a culture where food safety is everyone's responsibility. Inventory & Ordering Support • Assist with daily and weekly inventory counts. • Monitor food levels and communicate shortages or product needs to management. • Maintain proper product rotation and storage. • Help receive deliveries and verify products for quality, quantity, and accuracy. • Identify waste, spoilage, or inventory concerns and communicate them to management. • Help ensure the kitchen is properly stocked for expected business volume. Food Quality & Guest Experience • Ensure consistent portion sizes, presentation, taste, and recipe execution. • Monitor food quality throughout every shift. • Correct food quality or preparation issues immediately. • Work with management to adjust prep levels based on attendance forecasts, reservations, and seasonal patterns. • Support menu updates, specials, and new product rollouts. • Follow established procedures for allergen-friendly and special dietary requests. • Understand that great food is a major part of the guest experience. Operational & Administrative Support • Assist management with scheduling recommendations and labor planning. • Help monitor labor efficiency and productivity during shifts. • Assist with training documentation and employee development. • Report equipment problems, maintenance needs, and safety concerns immediately. • Help identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency and organization. • Assist with implementing operational changes and new procedures. • Provide feedback to management regarding staffing, food quality, equipment, and operations. • Perform other related duties as assigned. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR • 2+ years of professional kitchen experience. • Previous leadership, Kitchen Lead, or Lead Line Cook experience preferred. • Strong understanding of food preparation, food safety, sanitation, and BOH operations. • Ability to lead, motivate, train, and mentor a diverse team. • Comfortable working alongside seasonal and entry-level employees. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills. • Excellent time-management and multitasking abilities. • Able to remain calm, organized, and professional during high-volume periods. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to food quality. • Ability to follow recipes, procedures, and established standards consistently. • Willingness to be hands-on and perform all kitchen duties when needed. • Positive attitude and strong work ethic. • Dependable and willing to take ownership. • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, family-oriented entertainment environment. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Ability to stand and work for extended periods. • Ability to bend, reach, squat, and move throughout the kitchen. • Ability to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds. • Ability to work around hot surfaces, cooking equipment, grease, cleaning chemicals, and other normal kitchen conditions. • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment for extended periods during peak business. SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY This is a year-round position requiring flexibility based on Adventure Park's operating schedule and attendance. The Kitchen Lead must be available to work: • Weekdays • Weekends • Holidays • Peak attendance periods • Extended or adjusted hours when business needs require Part-time availability may be considered for candidates who can consistently work weekends and meet operational needs. THE ADVENTURE PARK KITCHEN MINDSET At Adventure Park, the small details have a BIG impact. A great Kitchen Lead understands that every plate represents Adventure Park. The food needs to be right, the kitchen needs to be clean, the team needs to be prepared, and guests need to receive a consistent experience every time. We are looking for leaders who: • Lead — Set the example and bring positive energy to the kitchen. • Prepare — Make sure the team and kitchen are ready before the rush. • Execute — Follow recipes, standards, and procedures consistently. • Communicate — Keep the team and management informed. • Own It — Take responsibility and solve problems. • Protect — Take food safety and cleanliness seriously. • Coach — Help team members improve and succeed. • Move — Keep the kitchen organized, productive, and efficient. • Create — Understand that great food helps create great memories. WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE Adventure Park is an exciting, energetic workplace where no two days are exactly the same. You'll have the opportunity to lead a team, develop kitchen staff, improve operations, and play an important role in creating memorable experiences for our guests. We believe in teamwork, accountability, professionalism, food safety, and having fun while getting the job done. If you enjoy being a hands-on leader, thrive during a rush, and take pride in serving great food, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE You're the person who can walk into a busy kitchen and immediately see what needs to happen. You don't wait for someone else to solve the problem. You jump in, communicate with the team, keep standards high, and make sure the job gets done. You're organized, dependable, hardworking, calm under pressure, and willing to lead from the front. Most importantly, you understand that a great kitchen starts with a great team—and great teams start with great leadership. Join the Adventure Park Team. Lead the team. Raise the standards. Serve great food. Create the memories. Requirements $12-$14