Post job

Kitchen lead vs deli manager

The differences between kitchen leads and deli managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a deli manager has an average salary of $39,221, which is higher than the $35,678 average annual salary of a kitchen lead.

The top three skills for a kitchen lead include customer service, culinary and food products. The most important skills for a deli manager are cleanliness, basic math, and food safety.

Kitchen lead vs deli manager overview

Kitchen LeadDeli Manager
Yearly salary$35,678$39,221
Hourly rate$17.15$18.86
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs56,300131,359
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen lead do?

A kitchen manager acts as the overseer of food preparation and cooking. They ensure that all staff are working efficiently. They maintain the cleanliness of workstations and monitor all supplies used. To avoid lapses, they monitor the staff during cooking to ensure that the kitchen serves the best quality of food. Also, they create reports on the monthly expenses of supplies.

What does a deli manager do?

A deli manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of the restaurant, delegating tasks to staff, supervising the food orders and services, maintaining adequate stock inventory, and finding ways to minimize production costs without compromising quality service. Deli managers strategize on techniques in maximizing the productivity of the operations staff to boost revenues and increase the business' profitability. They also attend to the guests' needs, respond to their inquiries, and resolve complaints immediately. A deli manager analyzes current food trends to update the restaurant's menu and meet the guests' demands.

Kitchen lead vs deli manager salary

Kitchen leads and deli managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen LeadDeli Manager
Average salary$35,678$39,221
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityRedmond, WAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyZoës KitchenPCC Community Markets
Best paying industryManufacturingRetail

Differences between kitchen lead and deli manager education

There are a few differences between a kitchen lead and a deli manager in terms of educational background:

Kitchen LeadDeli Manager
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen lead vs deli manager demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen leads' and deli managers' demographics:

Kitchen LeadDeli Manager
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 67.1% Female, 32.9%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between kitchen lead and deli manager duties and responsibilities

Kitchen lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage grill area and demonstrate leadership.
  • Can work without supervision in BOH, prepping and organizing.
  • Filter all fryers, change oil, and run dishwashers.
  • Involve in revamping standardize recipes, and teaching staff consistent culinary techniques.
  • Assign and check completion of side and/or cleaning tasks throughout BOH positions.
  • Start as p.m. dishwasher, and with no prior culinary experience work to kitchen lead.
  • Show more

Deli manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage deli; stock; order groceries, inventory, make salads, sandwiches, cookies, and doughnuts.
  • Frequent use basic measurements as well as math.
  • Wait on customers, utilize math, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • Operate meat and cheese slicers, oven, fryer, cutting tools, scale and other deli equipment.
  • Provide direct service to customers including operating slicers.
  • Maintain cleanliness in accordance with safety and health regulations for a healthy and sanitation environment.
  • Show more

Kitchen lead vs deli manager skills

Common kitchen lead skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Culinary, 21%
  • Food Products, 14%
  • Food Service, 13%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Quality Food, 5%
Common deli manager skills
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Food Safety, 10%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Math, 7%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs