Kitchen Team Leader

Overview

Bella & Bona is a venture‑capital-backed food‑tech company offering a workplace food program that employees enjoy every day.

The Kitchen Team Leader is a hands‑on leadership role based in Potsdam. This position is for an experienced kitchen professional who cooks daily, leads by example, and ensures high operational and quality standards while managing and developing the kitchen team.

This is not a purely managerial role. We strongly believe in a lead by example philosophy.

Your mission

Hands‑on Kitchen Operations

• Actively participate in daily food preparation and cooking
• Oversee all aspects of daily kitchen operations
• Ensure full compliance with Bella & Bona policies, inventory procedures, and all applicable HACCP guidelines
• Perform daily line checks before production and detailed station closings
• Monitor food holding and refrigeration temperature control points
• Coordinate with the City Manager to create, maintain, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead the kitchen team by working side by side with them
• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, schedule, and delegate responsibilities to kitchen staff
• Supervise and support team members during service and prep
• Ensure daily kitchen KPIs are met (quality, productivity, waste, punctuality)
• Evaluate employee performance and provide regular guidance and feedback
• Train staff on:
  • Safe operation of kitchen equipment and utensils
  • Cleanliness and sanitation standards
  • Bella & Bona systems and procedures
• Make sure all team members have the right tools, knowledge, and equipment to work safely and effectively

Production & Quality

• Oversee daily prep to ensure the right product quantities and Bella & Bona quality standards
• Ensure prep lists are completed accurately and communicated clearly
• Maintain consistency by enforcing standard recipes and preparation methods

Cost, Inventory & Waste Control

• Control food costs and usage through:
  • Proper procedures
  • Standard recipes
  • Waste reduction practices
• Assist with daily and weekly inventory counts and communicate results to management

  Cleanliness, Maintenance & Facility Standards

  • Manage daily and weekly deep cleaning schedules
  • Ensure proper cleaning of:
    • Floors, mats, walls, hoods
    • Equipment and food storage areas
  • Oversee facility maintenance duties and ensure a clean, safe kitchen environment at all times

  Your profile

  • At least 2 years of proven experience as a professional cook (Chef de Partie or similar hands‑on kitchen role)
  • Advanced cooking skills and solid technical kitchen knowledge
  • Proven experience working actively on the line (prep & service)
  • Previous experience leading or coordinating a kitchen team
  • Strong knowledge of hygiene standards and HACCP practices
  • Strong communication skills
  • Confident working with Excel
  • Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment
  • Hands‑on mindset: this is an operational role, not a desk‑based position

  Who this role is NOT for

  • Candidates without professional kitchen experience
  • Profiles focused only on management or administration
  • People who lead from the office instead of the kitchen floor

  Why us?

  • Mission‑driven and long‑term oriented: we focus on building a sustainable company with a clear purpose, while continuously improving how we work and deliver value
  • Strong sense of teamwork: we collaborate across teams and locations, support each other, and take shared responsibility for our results
  • Open, proactive, and respectful communication: we value clarity, ownership, and a solution‑oriented approach in our daily work
  • Reliable and committed working style: we take pride in delivering high‑quality results in a dynamic environment while maintaining a positive team culture
  • Continuous learning and improvement mindset: we encourage curiosity, adaptability, and personal growth through hands‑on learning and feedback
  • Customer‑centric approach: our mission is to use technology and operational excellence to provide office teams with healthy, delicious, and convenient meals

  Bella & Bona's Team Culture

  Bella &Bona offers companies a sustainable solution for office lunch catering, giving teams the opportunity to order healthy and delicious lunch online daily and enjoy it directly at the workplace. Meals can be easily ordered online through the Bella &Bona website and app, ensuring convenience and quality for workplace dining.