Position Overview:
As the Lead Line Cook at Soft Bar, you will play a vital role in bringing our food program to life. You’ll oversee the preparation and execution of a menu designed to complement our non-alcoholic and functional beverage offerings, ensuring that each dish reflects our commitment to quality, wellness, and elevated guest experience.
In this leadership position, you will be responsible for daily kitchen operations, including prep, execution, inventory management, and maintaining food and labor costs. You will work closely with the management team to evolve our culinary program, ensure smooth back-of-house operations, and uphold the highest standards of food safety, cleanliness, and consistency. This role is hands-on and fast-paced, ideal for someone passionate about intentional, health-forward food and collaborative kitchen culture.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring smooth prep, execution, and service of a seasonal, wellness-forward food menu
- Lead line execution during service, ensuring quality, timeliness, and consistency of all food items
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization in accordance with NYC Department of Health standards
- Manage inventory and place food and kitchen supply orders to ensure par levels and reduce waste
- Track and control food and labor costs, aligning with budget and operational goals
- Train and mentor kitchen staff on prep procedures, station responsibilities, food safety, and culinary techniques
- Collaborate with leadership and beverage teams to align food offerings with beverage programs and events
- Support development and testing of new menu items in alignment with brand ethos and seasonal ingredients
- Monitor food quality and guest satisfaction through consistent tasting, plating, and service standards
- Ensure adherence to all sanitation, safety, and allergen protocols throughout the kitchen
- Assist with scheduling and BOH staffing needs in coordination with management
- Create a positive, team-oriented environment that reflects Soft Bar’s mission and values
Requirements + Qualifications:
- Minimum 3+ years of professional kitchen experience, with at least 1 year in a leadership or supervisory role
- Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols
- Experience with cost tracking, inventory management, and vendor ordering systems
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment without sacrificing quality or attention to detail
- NYC Food Protection Certificate required (or must be obtained within 30 days of hire)
- Familiarity with NYC DOH compliance standards and a commitment to exceeding them
- Strong communication and leadership skills; ability to train, motivate, and manage back-of-house staff
- Passion for health-conscious, seasonal, and plant-forward cooking
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Ability to maintain composure and lead calmly during high-volume service periods
Soft Bar is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in all forms and are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace for all employees. We strongly believe that a diverse team leads to stronger ideas, broader perspectives, and a more vibrant culture—both internally and in the communities we serve.In compliance with all applicable federal, state, and New York City laws, Soft Bar does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment, in accordance with the New York City Human Rights Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us.
