Lead Porter

Lead Porter

Reports To: Executive Chef

Brooklyn Brewery is a leading global independent craft brewer and a pioneer of the American craft beer revolution. From our home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we are always in the making, drawing inspiration from our local community of innovators, makers, and doers to spread the culture and creativity of craft beer to 30 states and over 30 countries on 5 continents.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Porter oversees the stewarding and porter teams in our 650-capacity, multi-floor venue. This role is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, sanitation, and upkeep of kitchen and dishwashing areas, back-of-house spaces, and designated building areas. The Lead Porter also oversees the care, organization, and inventory of china, glassware, flatware, and smallwares used across the kitchen and bars.

The Lead Porter serves as the primary backup for Dishwasher and Porter shifts, providing hands-on coverage when staffing gaps occur, including employee call-outs and open positions.

Working under the direction of the Executive Chef, the Lead Porter coordinates team scheduling, training, daily assignments, and performance management. The role also monitors equipment and facility conditions, coordinates routine maintenance and cleaning services, and promptly reports issues requiring repair or escalation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership

• Supervise and coordinate Dishwashers and Porters across all assigned floors and shifts.
• Prepare and manage weekly team schedules within approved staffing levels and labor budgets.
• Participate in candidate sourcing and interviews, and make hiring, promotion, and termination recommendations to HR and the Executive Chef.
• Train team members on equipment operation, chemical safety, sanitation procedures, and established operating standards.
• Coach team members, document performance concerns, and administer corrective action in accordance with company policies and applicable procedures.
• Assign stations, establish daily task lists, and inspect completed work against established Brooklyn Brewery standards.
• Follow real-time directions from the Manager on Duty in front-of-house areas and the Chef on Duty in the kitchen during service and adjust team assignments as needed.
• Provide hands-on coverage for Dishwasher and Porter shifts and stations when team members are unavailable, including callouts and vacancies.

Stewarding and Sanitation

• Oversee dishwashing operations, including dish machine performance, chemical levels, and required temperature and sanitation logs.
• Maintain and implement cleaning schedules for kitchen and dishwashing areas, ice machines, walk-in coolers, locker rooms, and other back-of-house spaces.
• Maintain assigned areas in a clean, sanitary, and inspection-ready condition in accordance with applicable NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requirements.
• Ensure cleaning chemicals are properly stored, labeled, handled, and used in accordance with product instructions, safety data sheets, and company procedures.

Porter Operations and Building Cleanliness

• Coordinate porter coverage for restrooms, elevators, public areas, stairways, event spaces, and designated sidewalk areas.
• Plan and lead nightly cleaning, deep-cleaning schedules, and post-event resets.
• Coordinate the timely removal and proper handling of trash, recycling, and compost in accordance with established procedures.

Smallwares and Supplies

• Maintain par levels and inventory controls for china, glassware, flatware, and smallwares used in the kitchen and bars.
• Track breakage, loss, and usage trends, and report significant variances to leadership.
• Order cleaning chemicals, paper goods, linens, and smallwares within approved budgets and purchasing procedures.
• Coordinate with the Receiver / Warehouse Coordinator on deliveries, inventory discrepancies, and invoice verification.

Equipment and Facility Care

• Implement the preventative maintenance schedule for kitchen and dishwashing equipment established by the Executive Chef.
• Identify and promptly report equipment, plumbing, and facility issues; coordinate follow-up with the appropriate team until resolution.
• Coordinate hood, duct, and ventilation cleaning vendors, and maintain required service records and certificates.
• Schedule and oversee contracted deep-cleaning services.
• Maintain and follow established cleaning and sanitizing schedules for ice machines.
• Route equipment repair requests through the Receiver / Warehouse Coordinator and track outstanding issues as appropriate.

Cross-Team Support

• Partner with Floor Managers on glassware flow, table resets, and bussing standards.
• Refer qualified candidates for bussing and other open positions, as appropriate.
• Provide hands-on operational support during peak service periods to maintain cleanliness, equipment flow, and service continuity.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3 years of stewarding experience in a high-volume restaurant, hotel, or event setting, including at least 1 year in a supervisory role.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial dishwashing equipment, cleaning chemicals, and applicable NYC food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Basic knowledge of equipment troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.
• Ability to read and interpret invoices, order guides, work schedules, chemical labels, and safety data sheets.
• Demonstrated ability to schedule, train, coach, and supervise a team.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and the ability to remain composed and effective during high-volume service and events.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate preferred; willingness to obtain the certificate within 90 days of hire, if required for assigned duties.
• Additional language skills are a plus.

WORK SCHEDULE

Days of Operations: Wednesday – Monday, closed Tuesdays Variable hours and include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

COMPENSATION

The base pay range for this full-time role is $21.00 to $24.00 per hour. Actual base pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is one component of The Brooklyn Brewery Corporation’s total compensation package for employees.

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with Company match
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off
• Staff discounts and industry perks

Brooklyn Brewery is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, caregiver status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law.

We are committed to maintaining an equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply, even if you do not meet every listed qualification.