Back of House Team Lead

Back of House Team Lead

Chick-fil-A The Villages

Position Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Department: Back of House (Kitchen)

Reports To: BOH Shift Lead, Senior BOH Shift Lead, Executive Director and Owner/Operator

Position Overview

The Back of House Team Lead is an experienced kitchen Team Member who serves as an operational role model, peer coach, and hands-on trainer. This position takes ownership of culinary execution, recipe compliance, food safety, and real-time Team Member development during assigned shifts.

The Team Lead demonstrates mastery of key kitchen positions, including Breading, Primary Boards, and Machines, while supporting daily preparation, production checklists, and established brand training systems.

This individual plays an important role in developing new Team Members, maintaining operational standards, and supporting BOH Shift Leads during peak business periods. Through consistent leadership, personal accountability, and a commitment to excellence, the Team Lead helps ensure our restaurant's mission is carried out at every level:

"Achieving Excellence Through Relentless Execution."

Core Responsibilities

1. Leadership, Culture & Team Engagement

• Lead by Example: Consistently demonstrate Chick-fil-A The Villages' Shared Vision, Purpose, and Core Values: Customers First, Hustle, Optimism, Curiosity, Continuous Improvement, and Safety First.
• Promote Kitchen Excellence: Maintain a high standard of personal performance, urgency, organization, and attention to detail while encouraging the same from fellow Team Members.
• Build Positive Team Culture: Foster strong working relationships, encourage teamwork, and maintain a positive, focused attitude during high-volume business periods.
• Maintain Kitchen Standards: Take initiative in addressing cleanliness, food quality, and operational compliance issues as they arise.
• Promote FOH/BOH Communication: Work collaboratively with Front of House Team Members to ensure order accuracy, smooth product transitions, and respectful communication.

2. Kitchen Operations & Performance

• Kitchen Position Mastery: Maintain certified proficiency across all Back of House positions, including Prep, Breading, Machines, Primary and Secondary Boards, and Dish.
• Operational Leadership: Serve as a reliable, high-performing operational anchor during peak business hours, maintaining production flow and supporting Team Members in assigned positions.
• Food Quality & Speed of Service: Monitor Kitchen Production Screens (KPS), ticket times, order accuracy, and product presentation to ensure consistent execution of Chick-fil-A standards.
• Food Cost & Waste Management: Follow proper FIFO rotation, portioning, and raw product preparation procedures. Accurately monitor and record food waste using established LEAN systems.
• Equipment & Asset Care: Properly operate, clean, and maintain kitchen equipment, including fryers, grills, holding cabinets, and thawing systems. Communicate equipment concerns or maintenance needs to the BOH Shift Lead.

3. Training, Mentorship & Leadership Development

• Hands-On Team Member Training: Provide direct, hands-on training to new kitchen hires and developing Team Members, demonstrating proper techniques, station procedures, and operational expectations.
• Training Pathway Execution: Utilize Chick-fil-A Pathway resources to reinforce approved recipes, procedures, food safety practices, and brand standards.
• Position Development & Certification: Assist Team Members in progressing through their training plans and achieving required kitchen position checkouts.
• Leadership Development: Actively seek feedback and coaching from BOH Shift Leads and Directors. Participate in leadership development opportunities and meetings as assigned.
• Leadership Pipeline: Demonstrate the initiative, accountability, and leadership qualities necessary for potential advancement into a BOH Shift Lead position.

4. Operational Systems, Food Safety & Compliance

• Checklist Accountability: Independently complete assigned opening, transition, closing, filtration, preparation, and dishwashing checklists accurately and consistently.
• Food Safety Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to food safety standards, including proper glove usage, temperature monitoring and logging, cross-contamination prevention, product handling, and sanitation procedures.
• Brand Standards: Follow Chick-fil-A Recipes and Service standards, ServSafe guidelines, and Daily Restaurant Self-Assessment requirements.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Properly use and reinforce required safety equipment, including cut-resistant gloves, burn sleeves, apron shields, and slip-resistant footwear.
• Workplace Safety: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment while proactively identifying and communicating potential safety concerns.

Qualifications & Core Competencies

Kitchen Experience & Operational Knowledge

• Demonstrated proficiency in all Back of House kitchen positions.
• Strong understanding of Chick-fil-A recipes, food preparation, production systems, and food safety standards.
• Consistent record of attendance, punctuality, reliability, and operational accountability.

Leadership & Character

• Strong work ethic and commitment to personal excellence.
• Positive influence on peers and ability to lead by example.
• Demonstrates initiative, ownership, dependability, and servant leadership.
• Coachable, receptive to feedback, and committed to continuous improvement.

Communication & Teamwork

• Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally.
• Comfortable providing friendly, direct, and constructive guidance to fellow Team Members.
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Technical Competency

• Proficient in Kitchen Production Screens (KPS), temperature monitoring tools, kitchen timers, and Chick-fil-A Pathway.
• Understands kitchen production flow, food rotation, waste tracking, and operational checklists.

Availability & Scheduling

• Maintains flexible and dependable availability based on restaurant business needs.
• Demonstrates willingness to support peak lunch and dinner periods, Saturday operations, and assigned closing shifts.
• School, extracurricular, and academic commitments will be considered while maintaining the scheduling coverage required for the position.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Back of House Team Lead consistently demonstrates:

• Personal mastery of kitchen positions and Chick-fil-A operational standards.
• The ability to positively influence and support fellow Team Members.
• Consistent execution of food quality, speed, cleanliness, and food safety expectations.
• Initiative and accountability without requiring constant supervision.
• A genuine commitment to training others and developing future leaders.
• Reliable support of BOH Shift Leads and overall kitchen operations.

The Back of House Team Lead is more than an experienced kitchen Team Member. This individual sets the standard for excellence, develops others through example, and helps create a kitchen environment where the entire team can succeed.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee discount
• Paid training