Kitchen Lead (Japanese Food Concept)

📍 Los Angeles, CA | Onsite

💰 Starting at $24/hour | Non-Exempt

🕒 Full-Time

Help Bring Authentic Japanese Omusubi to the U.S.

We are launching a unique Japanese food concept in Los Angeles centered around omusubi (Japanese rice balls) — a symbol of warmth, care, and nourishment in Japanese culture.

Our mission is to introduce the heart of Japanese cuisine and the spirit of omotenashi, the tradition of thoughtful and genuine hospitality. We are building a team that values care, respect, teamwork, and pride in craftsmanship.

If you are passionate about food, quality, and leading a kitchen team in a fast-paced environment, this is an exciting opportunity to grow with a brand entering the U.S. market.

Kitchen Lead – Role Overview

The Kitchen Lead supports the Shop Manager and oversees the daily kitchen operation. This role ensures food quality, maintains hygiene standards, and trains kitchen team members while working hands-on in the kitchen.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys leading by example and maintaining high standards in a fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Food Quality

• Oversee daily kitchen production including preparation, cooking, and food assembly
• Maintain consistent quality, taste, and portion standards
• Ensure smooth kitchen workflow during peak and off-peak hours
• Support inventory management, receiving, storage, and waste reduction practices

Food Safety & Hygiene

• Enforce sanitation, hygiene, and food safety standards
• Conduct regular kitchen checks for cleanliness and equipment maintenance
• Ensure compliance with local health regulations
• Address potential safety or procedural issues through hands-on guidance

Team Leadership & Training

• Train kitchen staff on food preparation, equipment usage, and workflow
• Coach team members to improve accuracy, speed, and kitchen coordination
• Support onboarding of new hires to ensure operational and cultural alignment
• Promote a safe, respectful, and collaborative work environment

Collaboration with Shop Manager

• Assist with kitchen staffing and operational planning
• Communicate daily updates, operational challenges, and improvement ideas
• Support kitchen-related decisions during shifts

Ideal Candidate

• 1–2+ years of kitchen leadership or culinary supervisory experience
• Experience in fast casual, café, or Japanese food concepts preferred
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, and food handling procedures
• Ability to lead by example with strong organization and efficiency
• Comfortable working in a high-volume kitchen environment
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Preferred (Not Required)

• Knowledge of Japanese cuisine or rice preparation
• Experience working with rice-based dishes or Japanese ingredients
• Familiarity with Japanese hospitality culture (omotenashi)

Our Workplace Culture

We believe great food starts with great people.

Our workplace values:

✨ Care for one another

✨ Respect and open communication

✨ Teamwork and collaboration

✨ Pride in quality and craftsmanship

We encourage creativity, mutual support, and a diverse environment where every team member can grow.

We value passion and integrity as much as experience.

Join Our U.S. Launch Team

If you’re excited about bringing Japanese culinary culture to Los Angeles and growing with a passionate team, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and expected salary to:

📩 careers.us@hyakunousha.com