Kitchen Operations Lead

Job Description

Job Description

KITCHEN OPERATIONS LEAD

LA Times Top 101 | NYT Top 50 | Michelin Guide | Nationally Recognized Glendale Restaurant

Mini Kabob is seeking a highly organized, hands-on kitchen leader to join our team and work directly alongside ownership and Chef Armen Martirosyan.

This is not simply a line cook position.

We are looking for someone who wants to grow into a larger leadership role and become a key part of the future of our operation.

The right candidate will learn all aspects of the business, including kitchen operations, service execution, quality control, prep systems, team leadership, inventory organization, and day-to-day restaurant operations while working directly alongside ownership.

Mini Kabob is a family-owned Armenian restaurant established in 1987 and recognized by the LA Times Top 101, New York Times Top 50, and Michelin Guide. We are known for open-fire grilled meats, scratch-made recipes, high-quality ingredients, and operating at an extremely high level inside a small, fast-moving kitchen.

We are looking for someone who:

• Leads from the front

• Takes ownership naturally

• Stays calm under pressure

• Solves problems quickly

• Communicates clearly

• Maintains high standards

• Is willing to do whatever is necessary to support the team and operation

Responsibilities

• Help oversee daily kitchen operations and service flow

• Coordinate prep execution, line readiness, and station organization

• Support food quality, consistency, and operational standards

• Help manage ticket pacing and kitchen communication during service

• Identify bottlenecks and solve operational issues quickly

• Assist with inventory organization, product rotation, and kitchen systems

• Support catering production and large-order execution

• Train and support kitchen team members

• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization throughout the operation

• Support opening and closing procedures

• Lead by example and help create a positive, accountable, team-oriented kitchen culture

• Work directly alongside ownership and Chef Armen to learn all aspects of the operation

Qualifications

• Previous kitchen leadership, lead line cook, sous chef, kitchen manager, or high-volume restaurant experience preferred

• Strong sense of urgency and ability to multitask under pressure

• Excellent organizational and communication skills

• Ability to lead by example and hold standards

• Strong problem-solving ability and operational awareness

• Reliable, punctual, and consistent

• Comfortable working in a physically demanding, fast-paced kitchen environment

• Experience in systems-driven restaurant environments such as Hillstone, Houston's, Din Tai Fung, Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, CAVA, Sweetgreen, or similar operations is highly valued

• Interest in growing into a larger operational leadership role is strongly preferred

Position Details

• Full-time position

• Base Pay: $16.90 with guaranteed hourly earnings of approximately $25–30 per hour with tip makeup , depending on experience and responsibilities

• Direct mentorship from ownership and Chef Armen Martirosyan

• We are looking for someone interested in building a long-term career. The right individual may have the opportunity to grow into a senior operational leadership role with expanded responsibility, autonomy, and compensation over time.

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off

• Employee meals provided

Why This Role Is Different

Most kitchen leadership roles place you into an existing system.

This role gives the right person the opportunity to work directly alongside ownership, learn every aspect of the operation, and grow into a larger leadership position within a nationally recognized restaurant.

If you're looking for more than just another kitchen job and want the opportunity to help build and lead something meaningful, we'd love to hear from you.

Work Location: Glendale, California