Shift Leader Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Ruby’s Southern Comfort Kitchen

Shift Leader — Front of House

Full-Time or Part-Time | Hourly | A Potomac Hospitality Group Concept | 2026

Who We Are Looking For

Ruby’s Southern Comfort Kitchen is seeking experienced Shift Leaders with a genuine passion for hospitality and a proven track record of leading teams in high-volume service environments. This is not an entry-level role. We are looking for people who have been on the floor, understand the pace, and know how to lead through it.

We also want leaders who bring something to the table. Your ideas, your creativity, your way of building team culture — all of that is welcome here. We want Shift Leaders who invest in their crew, notice what a team member needs before they have to ask, and take real ownership of their shift. This role has room to grow for the right person.

A great Shift Leader at Ruby’s moves with purpose, communicates with clarity, and brings the kind of warmth and professionalism that makes guests want to come back. You are the culture protector on every shift.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Open or close the front of house according to shift standards and operational checklists • Lead the floor team through service — directing coverage, managing pace, and resolving issues in real time

• Model the Cousin Experience in every guest interaction and hold the team to the same standard • Deliver genuine, personalized guest service — not scripted, not transactional • Actively drive sales during your shift by encouraging the team to upsell, suggest add-ons, and deliver the kind of service that earns higher tips and repeat visits

• Model and coach suggestive selling techniques to crew members so the whole team earns more • Manage Toast POS operations, cash handling, and end-of-shift reporting with accuracy and accountability

• Communicate shift notes, guest feedback, and staffing issues to the General Manager • Ensure the dining floor and service areas are clean, organized, and guest-ready at all times • Support new team member training and reinforce the “Hey Cousin” culture standards on every shift

• Enforce food safety, sanitation, and compliance standards without exception • Assist with catering and event support as needed

The Culture You Will Protect

Ruby’s is built on the idea that Southern hospitality is not a transaction — it is a relationship. The Cousin Experience is our standard: every guest walks in and feels welcomed, remembered, and cared for. The Shift Leader is the person who holds that standard when it is busy, when it is hard, and when no one is watching.

Our four Core Values are not suggestions. They are the job:

• Generous Spirit — You give warmth before guests have to ask for it

• Cultural Integrity — You understand what Ruby’s means to this community and you protect it • Vibe Curator — You read the energy in the room and lead accordingly

• Always Ready — You are prepared, present, and composed under pressure

We also want leaders who pour into their crew. That means noticing who needs coaching, who is ready for more responsibility, and who needs encouragement to get there. Ruby’s is a place where people grow — and a great Shift Leader is a big part of why.

What We Expect From You

• 2 or more years of customer service or hospitality experience, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or leadership role

• Demonstrated expertise in guest service — you know what genuine hospitality looks like and you deliver it

• Experience leading a team in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

• Proven ability to handle cash and daily operations with accuracy and integrity • Comfortable holding authority in a peer environment — professional boundaries are non-negotiable

• Experience with POS systems; Toast experience a plus

• Food safety knowledge; ServSafe certification preferred

• Composure under pressure — the team looks to you when it gets hard

• Bilingual English and Spanish a strong plus

• Personal and professional references required; background screening required

A Word on Leadership

The best Shift Leaders we have seen are people the team genuinely respects — not because they are the most popular person on the floor, but because they are consistent, fair, and clear. At Ruby’s, you can be warm and firm at the same time. In fact, that is exactly what we expect.

The people you are leading are your team, not your friends while you are on the clock. That distinction matters. We are looking for someone who understands it and leads accordingly.

Compensation and Schedule

• Hourly, $18.00 – $22.00 based on experience

• Performance incentives tied to shift sales targets and check average growth — when the team sells well, you benefit directly

• Tips earned in addition to hourly rate — strong service and upselling directly increase your take-home

• Full-time and part-time schedules available; mix of days, evenings, weekends, and holidays • Clear path to General Manager for the right candidate

Physical Requirements This role requires the ability to stand for extended periods, move efficiently through a high-volume dining and service area, and remain composed and professional during peak service rushes. Ruby’s is a fast-paced environment and this role operates at the center of it.