Shift Leader

About the role

As a Shift Leader with Panda Restaurant Group in Lynchburg, Virginia, you will help keep the restaurant running smoothly while supporting management in delivering the company’s standards of food quality, guest service, and atmosphere. This is a hands-on position in a busy, growth-focused environment where the team plays a central part in the guest experience.

What you will do

• Create a friendly, energetic setting for guests during your shift.
• Help run store operations and guide the team while leading the shift.
• Take part in preparing and cooking Panda menu items.
• Build a broad set of skills that support both your own development and the growth of others.

Compensation and benefits

The pay range for this role is $18 to $21 per hour, with individual pay based on factors such as work location and experience.

• Flexible scheduling
• Competitive pay
• Complimentary meals during shifts
• Medical, vision, dental, voluntary short-term disability, and cancer income protection coverage for full-time associates
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) with company matching
• Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave, and Leave Share Program for eligible associates
• Employee discounts across many brands
• Referral bonus for eligible associates
• Chance to contribute to the community
• Paid hands-on training
• Ongoing career and leadership development
• Opportunities to advance into management
• Pre-tax dependent care flexible spending account

Education and experience

• Some high school education is required.
• Prior operations experience is preferred.

Food safety and local requirements

You are responsible for meeting any local or municipal food-safety requirements, including a Food Handler certification if needed. Any related certification costs are to be covered by the applicant.

Working conditions and physical demands

This position involves working in a fast-moving restaurant environment where counter areas may be hot, steam and food vapors are present, and kitchens can be noisy. The workspace is limited, storage is tight, shelving may be high, and the role requires frequent standing and quick work without sacrificing accuracy.

You must be able to prepare both hot and cold foods, handle kitchen tools such as a Chinese cook knife, lift up to 50 lbs., stand for up to four hours, and reach across 36-inch counters to serve guests. Strong verbal communication, adaptability to changing priorities, and the ability to handle conflict or difficult situations are important.

About the company

Founded in Glendale, California in 1983, Panda Restaurant Group is the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in the United States and operates close to 2,800 locations worldwide. The company focuses on creating great Asian dining experiences and building an organization grounded in family values.

Equal opportunity and accommodation

Panda Restaurant Group is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The company does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including sex, gender, pregnancy, gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available for the application, interview, and job process where required, and candidates may request support such as a sign-language interpreter if needed by contacting [email protected].

Additional information

Benefits are offered only to associates who meet and continue to meet eligibility requirements. Individual compensation is determined using several factors, including experience and work location.