Lead Cook
YOUR DAILY MISSION: Guide and collaborate with our kick ass kitchen team to create an amazing culinary experience!
WHO ARE WE?
We’ve been making kick-ass coffee for over 25 years.
We’re Canada’s #1 selling Whole Bean coffee. All our coffee is Organic and Fairtrade, roasted right in the Canadian Rocky Mountains smack dab in the middle of nowhere.
And it’s not just our coffee that’s good. We’ve been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada by Great Place to Work since 2015. We work hard and have fun. That’s how we roll.
WHO ARE YOU?
You’re the kind of chef people love to work with - confident, calm, and completely obsessed with food. You lead with heart instead of ego, and you know the best kitchens run on care, clear communication, and solid teamwork. Chaos? No, chef. You create a space where people feel supported, heard, and excited to show up and do great work.
You know that in a kitchen, consistency and solid systems are everything, but that doesn’t stop you from getting creative. You love experimenting with new ideas and flavours while keeping the wheels turning smoothly. You’re hands-on and always in the mix; baking one minute, on the line the next, jumping into prep, dishes, or a bit of admin without missing a beat. High volume? Giddy up. When the rush hits, you turn on the urgency, stay focused, and keep your cool, even when things get extra spicy.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
You’ll work closely with the Head Chef to keep the kitchen running smoothly and deliver a consistent, kickass food experience every day. You help set the tone for a calm, organized, and dialled-in work environment while making sure food quality, safety, and efficiency stay front and centre.
You’ll jump in wherever you’re needed, from leading the team on the floor to tackling admin, to keeping service flowing without a hiccup. You uphold service standards, support the crew, and make sure every dish that leaves the café is something we’re proud of - made with care, consistency, and heart.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Training
- Onboard and train new kitchen team members across all stations, including prep, line, baking, and dish
- Ensure consistent execution of menu items by upholding recipe accuracy, quality, and presentation standards
- Train the team on food safety, cleaning procedures, equipment use, and kitchen systems
- Lead by example, reinforcing best practices and setting clear expectations for quality, pace, and efficiency
Admin
- Support the Head Chef with administrative tasks such as ordering, inventory management, waste tracking, and prep planning
- Provide scheduling support as needed, including shift coverage, adjustments, and clear communication with the team
- Help develop, document, and maintain kitchen processes, procedures, and training resources
- Support daily kitchen communication to ensure clarity and alignment across shifts
Leadership
- Act as a go-to lead on shift, supporting day-to-day decision making and team needs
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and support to kitchen team members
- Hold regular check-ins, 1:1s, and development conversations to support growth and performance
- Help set and maintain a calm, respectful, and collaborative kitchen environment
- Remain composed during busy service periods while upholding quality standards and team morale
- Support conflict resolution and problem-solving in a thoughtful, solutions-focused way
- Provide support to both back of house and front of house teams as needed
Kitchen Operations
- Work alongside the Head Chef on menu development, testing, and refinement
- Prepare and assemble food across all kitchen stations, stepping in wherever support is needed
- Complete daily prep lists, quality checks, and food safety logs
- Manage inventory levels to minimize waste while maintaining product availability
- Collaborate closely with front of house leadership to support smooth service and a strong guest experience
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3–5 years of experience in a cook or kitchen leadership role, ideally in a high-volume environment
- Proven ability to lead, train, and support a kitchen team in a calm, respectful, and organized way
- Strong understanding and ability to perform food preparation, recipe execution, and quality control with a focus on consistency
- Experience with ordering, inventory management, waste reduction, and food cost awareness
- Culinary diploma or formal culinary training is an asset
- Food Safe Level 1 or Level 2 certification is an asset, and candidates must demonstrate practical, day-to-day knowledge of food safety standards in a kitchen environment. Support to obtain certification can be provided if needed.
- Strong administrative skills, including navigating inventory platforms and MS Office
- Physically able to lift up to 50 lbs
- Scheduling flexibility is required, including availability to work weekends and holidays
WHAT WE VALUE — AND WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Do What’s Right. It’s not always neat and tidy. It means taking care of people, the planet and the business. No posturing, no greenwashing, just grown-up conversations and real accountability.
- Think it through, talk it out and keep it real. Whether you’re running the line, plating a dish, or managing a rush, you pause, think and act with care.
- Own your mess-ups (and your wins). You’re not afraid to say, “my bad”, learn from it and bounce back stronger.
- Speak up, even when it’s awkward. You notice what’s working and what’s not – whether it’s a slow dish, a repeat customer, or a shift pattern. You observe, ask and improve.
- Put people first, always. You care about wellbeing, dignity and helping others grow – whether it your teammate, your guest or your community.
Never Half-Ass It. We’re on a mission to annihilate mediocrity. It’s not about burning out - it’s about showing up, caring deeply, working smart, and taking our craft seriously (but not ourselves).
- Bring the pride and the polish. You care about the pour, the plate and the clean up. Whether you’re steaming milk or scrubbing pans, you do it with care and craft.
- Prep like a pro. You stock, clean and set up with intention – because a smooth shift starts with solid prep. You know that panic is what happens when prep doesn’t.
- Ask for backup when you need it. You know when to call in a teammate, share knowledge or lend a hand. You’re here to get it right, together.
- Refuse to cut corners. You don’t compromise on quality, cleanliness or service. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly – even when it’s busy.
- Know when to chill. You take breaks, breathe deep and recharge – because great service starts with a clear head and a full cup.
Cut the Bullshit. It’s about systems that work without waste, kindness without drama and root-cause thinking over quick fixes. No fluff, no fuss – just clarity, honesty and getting to the heart of things.
- Focus on what matters. You don’t get caught up in the noise. You zero in on what needs attention – whether it’s a slow line, a broken POS, or a teammate who needs support.
- Keep it simple (and smart). You streamline where you can and avoid making things harder than they need to be. You love a clear bar and a clean pan.
- Say what you mean, kindly. You speak up when something’s off – whether it’s a shift issue or a better way to serve guests, you’re direct, honest and drama-free.
- Take feedback like a pro. You’re open to hearing what’s working – and what’s not. You don’t take it personally; you take it as a chance to level up.
- Build trust, not gossip chains. You talk to people, not about them. You help create a Café culture where people feel safe, respected and supported.
Be Remarkable. We’re not here to play it safe or follow the crowd. We’re here to break patterns, defy expectations and drop a few jaws along the way. If it’s forgettable, it’s not for us.
- Bring the magic, not the meh. You take pride in your craft – whether it’s latte art, plating brunch or keeping the dish pit spotless. You care about quality, and it shows.
- Think big, act smart. You’re not afraid to suggest a better way, try something new or improve a process. You bring ideas and the follow-through to make them happen.
- Take initiative like it’s second nature. You jump in when something needs doing and you spot problems early to help solve them before they snowball.
- Leave things better than you found them. You clean up, tune up, and level up. Whether it’s a shift, a system, or a team dynamic – you make a positive mark.
Do It All With Love. Love? Buck yeah, Love! It’s our not-so-secret ingredient. We care deeply about the work we do, the people we work with, and the impact we have. That love shows up in every cup – and in every shift, plate, and interaction.
- Obsess over the details (in a good way). You care about the prep, the presentation and the experience. You know the little things make a big difference.
- Lead with kindness, care and respect. You treat guests and teammates like humans (not just transactions). You bring empathy to the floor, not just efficiency.
- Build trust. You’re honest, open and dependable. You show up to shift consistently and help create a space where people feel welcomed and valued.
- Show up for each other – wins and wobbles. You celebrate the good stuff and support each other through the tough stuff.
- Make space for joy. You like to laugh at work. You bring good vibes and know that joy fuels great service – even on the busiest days.
OTHER INFORMATION
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- This is an on-site position located in Invermere, BC.
- This is a full-time, permanent position in our kitchen department, working 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.
- This role involves working weekends and holidays.
- The hourly range for this role ranges from $26.75 - $29.77 per hour based on experience
PERKS TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST
When individuals thrive, communities thrive. And we are here to help that happen. The following perks and programs have been designed with intention, to ensure our people prosper.
- Mug Fillers: Damn good discounts on coffee beans and have all the caffeine you will need to keep you fuelled onsite. These benefits include discounted beverages, food, and merchandise in the Café.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Designed to support employee wellness and mental health, our benefits program is as full as our mugs! We offer our full-time team members with:
- Extended medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Annual $2,000 flexible paramedical services coverage.
- Access to our emergency or crisis support through our Employee & Family Assistance Program.
- Annual $700 Wellness Allowance.
- A whole heck of a lot of time off, including 4 weeks of paid vacation after one year of work.
- Celebrate your birthday with a paid day off and a $100 gift certificate to your local business of choice.
- Environmental and Community Giving: Our Green Commuting program pays employees up to $3.00 per day for choosing a green commute to work. Our Dream Fund provides Kicking Horse Coffee dreamers with financial funding to put towards community projects.
- Uniform Reimbursement: We want you safe, supported and comfortable. KHC supports full-time team members with a reimbursement program for footwear and uniforms that helps with the costs.
- Coffee Education: Deep dive into the soul of what we do, explore everything from processing methods to brewing techniques through our Coffee Education programming.
- Training and Development: We believe in supporting personal and professional growth. Learning is key to doing great work, but more than that, it helps us stay curious, adapt to change, and become masters of our fields.
- Exceptional Human Beans: Working with a kick-ass team? We think that is the best perk of all. Our crew of coffee lovers love what they do and are great at it too!
Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.