Pei Wei Restaurant Shift Leader-Hospitality/Culinary

Pei Wei is a dynamic fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in fresh, handmade Asian cuisine. Known for its vibrant flavors and commitment to quality, Pei Wei strives to provide exceptional dining experiences to its customers every day. As a prominent player in the fast-casual dining sector, Pei Wei operates multiple locations across the United States, offering a diverse menu that blends traditional Asian dishes with contemporary culinary techniques. The company emphasizes a culture of teamwork, hospitality, and continuous improvement to maintain its reputation and grow its brand presence. The Shift Leader position at Pei Wei is an integral role that directly supports management teams while playing a vital part in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Shift Leaders are responsible for guiding, training, and leading team members to ensure seamless guest service and kitchen operations. This leadership role demands a versatile individual capable of managing all aspects of restaurant functioning, from preparing food and monitoring safety protocols to using back-office systems proficiently. A Shift Leader steps in to manage the restaurant in the absence of senior management, requiring confidence, decisiveness, and excellent communication skills. Shift Leaders must be certified and trained in both culinary and front-of-house operations, capable of performing their duties while coaching and verifying team members’ performance each day. They must uphold food safety standards and be certified food handlers who effectively train others in company safety and health procedures. Communication plays a crucial role in this position, with Shift Leaders maintaining clear and effective interaction with team members, management, and regional support offices through various channels. In this role, Shift Leaders act as role models, demonstrating ideal behaviors, dress standards, and guest interaction techniques that align with Pei Wei’s brand values. Key responsibilities include leading the team during shifts by coaching, delegating tasks, and verifying completion of duties. They oversee administrative responsibilities and compliance tasks, such as scheduling, inventory ordering, cash handling, opening and closing procedures, and managing guest relations, ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction is consistently delivered. Shift Leaders also play a pivotal role in the onboarding and training of new employees, helping to build a strong, knowledgeable team. To excel in this position, candidates should possess a proactive and action-oriented mindset. The ability to manage challenges energetically and a commitment to both the brand and team success are essential. Candidates need to demonstrate a customer-focused approach, always prioritizing guest and team member needs, and exhibiting strong problem-solving skills when handling difficult situations. Attention to employee relations and effective communication with store management are vital for maintaining a positive work environment. Working conditions for this role require physical stamina and endurance, as Shift Leaders must stand and walk for extended periods during each shift. The job also demands the ability to reach, bend, balance, and transport objects weighing up to 30 pounds frequently. Visual and auditory acuity with correction is necessary to successfully perform operational duties. Overall, the Shift Leader role at Pei Wei offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to advance in restaurant management and build invaluable leadership skills within a respected and growing organization.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Six months shift lead experience for external candidates
• Four months Pei Wei experience for internal candidates
• Ability to stand and walk for four to ten hours per shift
• Ability to reach, bend, balance and transport objects up to 30 pounds
• Ability to hear with 100% accuracy with correction
• Ability to see at 20/20 vision with correction
• Action oriented mindset
• Customer focused attitude
• Self motivated and able to maintain high performance without direct leadership