Kitchen Lead

Rhinegeist Brewery is a regional craft brewery based in the historic Over-The-Rhine in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. We have built a strong and dedicated team of employees that believe in the power of beer to bring people together, create fantastic ideas, and build a community. Our unique group of employees believes that it is our responsibility to make inspiring beverages and cultivate memorable experiences.

We strive to find high-quality, creative solutions with a fierce spirit of independence as we grow. At Rhinegeist, we welcome all people and thrive on a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Summary:

We are looking for a motivated, dependable, and meticulous Kitchen Supervisor to oversee our daily culinary operations. This role bridges hands-on culinary work with shift leadership. When the Kitchen Manager or Culinary Director is offsite, the Kitchen Lead will run day-to-day operations, ensuring strict standards for food quality, station cleanliness, speed of service, and guest satisfaction. The ideal candidate pairs strong line-cooking and pizza-making skills with a customer-first mindset and active leadership on the floor.

Leadership & Operational Responsibilities:

• Shift Leadership:
  Direct back-of-house operations during assigned shifts, serving as the point person when executive kitchen leadership is absent.
• Quality & Consistency:
  Audit food prep, pizza technique, and ticket times to ensure every dish meets Rhinegeist standards before reaching the guest.
• Customer-First Mindset:
  Maintain high hospitality standards, resolving kitchen-related guest issues quickly and proactively supporting front-of-house coordination.
• Sanitation & Safety:
  Enforce strict health department regulations, line cleanliness, and deep-cleaning schedules across all stations.
• Team
  
  Coaching:
  
  Lead by example on the line, providing real-time guidance, training prep/line cooks, and maintaining positive team morale.
• Labor & Service Flow:
  Manage shift pacing, meal breaks, and line setups to maintain efficiency during peak volumes.

Culinary & Core Kitchen Functions:

• Line & Pizza Cooking:
  Stretch dough, top, and bake pizzas to specification while managing deck/conveyor ovens and supporting hot line prep.
• Inventory & Prep Control:
  Monitor stations, assist with receiving and FIFO inventory rotation, and minimize food waste.
• Equipment Care:
  Ensure kitchen equipment is safely operated, daily maintenance logs are completed, and repair needs are reported promptly.

Requirements:

• 1–2 years of kitchen leadership, shift supervisory, or lead cook experience preferred.
• Solid background in high-volume line cooking or pizza production.
• Strong communication, time-management, and problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Active Serv Safe or Food Manager certification preferred (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and peak brewery events.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and move in a high-temperature kitchen environment for 6–8 hours per shift.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and traverse stairs multiple times per shift.

Additionally, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position.

Benefits at Rhinegeist

• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance
• 17 days of PTO
• Employee Paid Short-Term/Long-Term Disability/Additional Life Insurance
• Dependent Care – Flexible Spending Account