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Shift leader vs kitchen lead

The differences between shift leaders and kitchen leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen lead has an average salary of $35,678, which is higher than the $33,841 average annual salary of a shift leader.

The top three skills for a shift leader include patients, customer complaints and customer service. The most important skills for a kitchen lead are customer service, culinary, and food products.

Shift leader vs kitchen lead overview

Shift LeaderKitchen Lead
Yearly salary$33,841$35,678
Hourly rate$16.27$17.15
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs229,48556,300
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a shift leader do?

Shift leaders are tenured or experienced employees who are assigned to oversee employees in specific work shifts. They manage team members who are assigned in their shift. They also ensure that business goals are met. Shift leaders check whether team members are working, and they ensure that they always comply with company policies and guidelines. They also monitor the performance of their employees and coach them should the employees need help in any area of their work. Shift leaders should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

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.

Shift leader vs kitchen lead salary

Shift leaders and kitchen leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Shift LeaderKitchen Lead
Average salary$33,841$35,678
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MARedmond, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyIBMZoës Kitchen
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between shift leader and kitchen lead education

There are a few differences between a shift leader and a kitchen lead in terms of educational background:

Shift LeaderKitchen Lead
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessCulinary Arts
Most common college--

Shift leader vs kitchen lead demographics

Here are the differences between shift leaders' and kitchen leads' demographics:

Shift LeaderKitchen Lead
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 44.2% Female, 55.8%Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between shift leader and kitchen lead duties and responsibilities

Shift leader example responsibilities.

  • Prepare overall security plans and manage security operations of organization, including assignments, staffing and payroll.
  • Maintain maintenance and cleanliness of the facility which exceeds customer satisfaction and quality standards.
  • Team leadership for excellent customer service delivery during schedule shift including supervision of service associates and pharmacy technicians.
  • Answer all incoming calls a long with booking appointments.
  • Develop strategies to meet and exceed booking and sales goals.
  • Review daily arrivals to ensure proper handling of VIP's, return guests, groups, etc.
  • Show more

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

Shift leader vs kitchen lead skills

Common shift leader skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Customer Complaints, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Cash Handling, 5%
Common kitchen lead skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Culinary, 21%
  • Food Products, 14%
  • Food Service, 13%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Quality Food, 5%

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