Head Cook / Kitchen Manager

About Slingers

Slingers is a casual burger spot in downtown Ludlow serving smash burgers, chicken, fries, shakes, beer, cocktails, and more. We’re a small, fast-paced restaurant looking for an experienced Head Cook / Expediter to help lead the kitchen and keep service running smoothly.

The Job

This position is for someone with solid restaurant kitchen experience who is comfortable taking the lead during service.

You’ll work alongside the kitchen team while also overseeing the flow of orders, communicating with each station, checking food for accuracy and quality, and making sure everything gets out of the kitchen quickly and correctly.

We’re looking for someone who can see the bigger picture during a rush — knowing what’s working, what’s falling behind, and what needs to happen next.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen during service and keep the line moving efficiently
• Expedite orders and coordinate timing between stations
• Read and manage tickets during busy service
• Check orders for accuracy, presentation, and quality before they leave the kitchen
• Cook and work stations as needed
• Keep the kitchen organized and communicate priorities to the team
• Help manage daily prep and make sure stations are properly stocked
• Maintain consistent food quality and portioning
• Follow and enforce food safety and sanitation standards
• Communicate with front-of-house staff
• Manage food inventory and communicate ordering needs
• Assist with opening and closing procedures
• Contribute ideas for menu development, seasonal specials, and new food offerings.

What We're Looking For

• Previous line cook experience required
• Expediting or kitchen leadership experience strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of kitchen flow and ticket management
• Comfortable taking charge during busy periods
• Able to communicate clearly and respectfully with the team
• Organized, dependable, and punctual
• Able to stay calm and make decisions during a rush
• Strong attention to food quality and consistency
• Availability for nights, weekends, and holidays

The Right Person

We don’t need a fancy chef. We need someone who knows how a kitchen works.

You should be able to jump on the line when needed, run the window when it’s busy, keep everyone on the same page, and make sure good food gets out quickly and correctly.

We’re happy to teach you how we do things at Slingers, but this position requires someone who already has strong restaurant kitchen experience and is comfortable taking the lead. We’d love someone who enjoys being creative with food and wants to bring new ideas to the table.

If you’re an experienced cook who knows how to run a line, keep tickets organized, and keep a kitchen moving when things get busy, we’d like to hear from you.

Pay: From $26.00 per hour

Work Location: In person