--- title: 'Kitchen Manager at Atoms' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/kitchen-manager-atoms-lawndale-76p1v6xnkmg4' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-12' --- # Kitchen Manager at Atoms - **Company:** Atoms - **Location:** Lawndale, CA - **Posted:** 2026-11-11 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-12 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/cssmerge/jobs/8937241002 ## Job description ## About Lab37 Lab37 is building a new kind of restaurant operation, combining great food, technology, and efficient kitchen systems to create a more scalable model for food service. We're a fast-moving team focused on improving how restaurants operate. Our kitchens use technology and automation to support food production, and we're constantly testing, refining, and improving our processes. We're looking for a hands-on Kitchen Manager who can lead our Lawndale kitchen team, maintain high operational standards, and help us build a strong foundation as we grow. ## About the Role As Kitchen Manager, you'll own daily operations at our Lawndale kitchen, ensuring the team is supported, food is prepared consistently, and service runs smoothly. This is a hands-on leadership role that balances working alongside the Lawndale team with coaching shift leads, planning staffing and production, and maintaining accountability for the location. You'll jump into prep or service when needed while building a team that can execute consistently. You'll own staff scheduling, inventory accuracy, ordering, training, and performance standards for Lawndale, working closely with shift leads and operations leadership. We're looking for someone who leads by example, communicates clearly, embraces technology, and is comfortable working in a rapidly evolving environment. ## Key Responsibilities Kitchen Operations & Food Preparation - Support ingredient preparation and daily production during training, peak periods, or staffing gaps while maintaining management oversight. - Oversee prep quality, consistency, food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen organization. - Ensure prep targets are met and the kitchen is adequately stocked for service. - Operate and troubleshoot kitchen equipment, including automated cooking systems. - Identify operational inefficiencies and help implement practical improvements. - Balance hands-on production support with coaching, daily readiness, and resolution of recurring operational issues at Lawndale. ## Team Leadership & Development - Supervise, coach, and support shift leads and kitchen staff at Lawndale. - Own weekly schedules, coordinate coverage, monitor labor hours, and proactively address staffing gaps. - Train employees on recipes, equipment, food safety, and standard operating procedures. - Provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance management. - Foster a positive, respectful, and accountable team environment. - Lead by example and maintain a calm, solutions-oriented approach during challenging situations. Inventory, Ordering & Cost Control - Manage routine ingredient, packaging, and supply ordering. - Monitor inventory levels, conduct counts, and maintain accurate records. - Minimize waste, prevent stockouts, and ensure proper product rotation. - Work with vendors to resolve routine delivery and product issues. - Monitor food and labor costs through efficient scheduling, ordering, inventory controls, and production planning. Technology & Process Improvement - Use digital tools to manage prep, inventory, scheduling, and daily kitchen workflows. - Troubleshoot routine software and equipment issues, escalating when necessary. - Help test and implement new operational processes and technologies, and track whether changes improve execution. - Provide feedback on kitchen tools, workflows, and opportunities for improvement. - Ensure teams consistently follow established SOPs and operating standards. Location Ownership & Operational Accountability - Maintain consistent execution and accountability at Lawndale by developing shift leads, establishing clear expectations, and following up on performance. - Monitor kitchen performance indicators including food safety, prep completion, order accuracy, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, waste, and staff performance. Identify recurring problems and implement corrective actions with shift leads. - Support shift leads in resolving daily operational challenges. - Help onboard and train new employees as the company grows. - Support the Lawndale launch, menu rollouts, and ongoing operational improvements. - Communicate Lawndale staffing needs, operational challenges, and improvement opportunities to leadership. ## Qualifications Required - 4+ years of professional kitchen experience, including at least 2 years directly supervising or leading kitchen teams. - Strong hands-on food preparation skills, including knife work, ingredient preparation, and production planning. - Working experience preparing staff schedules, conducting inventory counts, placing orders, and monitoring food and labor costs; willingness to learn and improve existing systems. - Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable. - Comfortable using technology and learning new software and equipment. - Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize competing needs. - Willingness to work hands-on alongside the Lawndale kitchen team. - Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and varying shifts as operational needs require. ## Preferred - Experience in high-volume restaurants, commissaries, ghost kitchens, or other production-focused food service operations. - Experience opening new kitchens or training new teams. - Familiarity with food cost, labor management, and operational KPIs. - Experience working with automated or technology-enabled kitchen equipment. - Experience in a startup or other fast-changing environment. ## What We're Looking For Beyond technical experience, we're especially interested in someone who: - Leads with a positive attitude: Treats people respectfully, communicates clearly, and builds trust with the team. - Is confident in prep: Can demonstrate sound food preparation skills and coach teams on consistent execution. - Is hands-on when needed: Can support production and troubleshoot issues without losing focus on management responsibilities. - Is comfortable with technology: Can learn new systems quickly and help others adopt them. - Is adaptable: Understands that processes may evolve as we test and improve our operating model. - Takes ownership: Identifies problems, follows through, and doesn't wait to be told what needs fixing. - Balances standards with empathy: Holds people accountable while maintaining a supportive and constructive team culture. Why Join Lab37? - Help shape the operations of a growing, technology-driven restaurant company. - Work with innovative kitchen equipment and software. - Take meaningful ownership of kitchen performance and team development. - Play an important role in building the systems and standards we'll use as we expand. - Join a team that values practical problem-solving, continuous improvement, and strong execution. What else you need to know This role is based in our Lawndale, CA site.  As a company driven by invention and continuous change - we are constantly reimagining our industries, building new products, and refining how we operate. The base salary range for this role is $70,000 - $90,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus. Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees): - Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options). - Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term). - Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity. - Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children. - Pet insurance discount. - 401(k). - Health Savings Account (HSA) - Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter) - Time Off policies: - Discretionary vacation days - 8 paid holidays per year - Paid sick time - Paid Bereavement leave - Paid Parental Leave Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion. Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others? #LI-Onsite ## About Atoms ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Atoms builds physical automation systems—robotics, AI, software, and infrastructure—for mining, transport, and food industries to automate the physical world. - **Entity Type**: Private (formerly City Storage Systems; rebranded from CloudKitchens/ProFood parent) - **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States - **Founded**: Rebranded as Atoms in March 2026; predecessor City Storage Systems founded earlier (~2018) - **Founders**: Travis Kalanick (CEO) ## Core Business - Primary industry: Physical AI, Robotics, Automation Machinery Manufacturing, Industrial Infrastructure - Target customers: Mining/quarry operators, transportation & logistics companies, food service brands and kitchens (B2B, heavy industrial) - Mission or purpose statement: “We build progress machines.” / “The constraint on human progress is our ability to automate the physical world.” ## Products & Services - **Atoms Mining**: Autonomous haulage systems for mines and quarries designed to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency in complex industrial environments. - **Atoms Transport**: Wheelbase for robots — autonomous delivery and logistics systems for moving goods. Includes the acquired Pronto AI technology (acquisition completed April 2026). - **Atoms Food (ProFood)**: Robotics for better food. Automated kitchen systems that deliver consistent, affordable meals at scale; kitchen infrastructure platforms (bringing orders, delivery, operations into one platform); food real estate; Lab37 (an operating system for food facilities); and a forthcoming “built” meals brand. - **Lab37**: The operating system/software layer that connects and orchestrates Atoms’ physical automation across domains. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total Funding – Not publicly disclosed; previously raised significant capital as City Storage Systems/CloudKitchens (estimated at over $1B in prior rounds); 414 employees on LinkedIn as of mid-2026 - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Travis Kalanick (founder/CEO, previously co-founded Uber); partners include mining/quarry operators, food brands (specific names not public) - **Growth Signals**: 414 employees (+13.2% monthly growth); operates in 24 countries; 26 active job postings (+160% monthly); recent acquisition of Pronto AI (April 2026); rebranding from City Storage Systems to Atoms (March 2026) signals strategic consolidation and pivot; hiring across robotics, AI, software, hardware, operations globally ## Competitive Advantages - **Cross-stack vertical integration**: Controls sensors, compute, software, manufacturing, operations, real estate, energy, and infrastructure — a rare “full-stack” approach to physical AI. - **Founder advantage**: Led by Travis Kalanick (Uber co-founder) who has deep experience scaling category-defining companies and attracting top engineering/operations talent. - **Real-world deployment**: Robots with “real jobs” — not lab demos — deployed in working mines, kitchens, and transport systems today. - **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on “cross-stack competence,” ownership, and solving problems “most companies won’t attempt.” - **Global footprint**: Presence in 24 countries allows rapid deployment and operations at scale. ## Strategic Focus - Consolidating formerly separate brands (CloudKitchens, ProFood, Pronto AI) under one unified “Atoms” identity to create a single physical AI platform - Expanding autonomous mining haulage into more quarries and mines globally - Scaling food automation from kitchen robotics to end-to-end food infrastructure (real estate, ordering, delivery, operations) - Growing AI, ML, and autonomy capabilities (hiring Senior Software Engineer - ML Infrastructure, Backend Infrastructure, Robotics Engineer) - International expansion with dedicated regional roles (APAC, LATAM, Europe) ## Why Work Here - **High ownership**: “Take ownership early, and contribute from day one” — interns and new hires work on live products, not side projects. - **Hard problems**: Solving physical-world automation challenges that most companies won’t attempt — mining, logistics, food production at scale. - **Compensation**: “Outsized rewards for outsized performance” — competitive compensation, healthcare, benefits, and PTO. - **Culture**: “Builders” and “hardcore engineers” who have scaled category-defining companies — a relentless, high-expectation environment focused on excellence. - **Work policy**: Mix of in-office roles (Mountain View, CA; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Austin, TX) and international locations (Vilnius, LTU; Makati, PH; Bogotá, COL; São Paulo, BRA). Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated but many roles list specific city locations. - **Tech stack**: Modern — Python, TypeScript, Go, Java, Kubernetes, Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, GraphQL, gRPC, Bazel, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, dbt, Looker, Airflow. - **Team composition**: 25% of employees in technical roles (154 people); strong presence of HR, legal, finance, and operations supporting global scale; talent sourced from CloudKitchens, Amazon, Uber, Google, ProFood Properties, City Storage Systems. ## Sources 1. [atoms.co](https://atoms.co/) 2. [atoms.co/careers](https://atoms.co/careers) 3. [atoms.co/openroles](https://atoms.co/openroles) 4. [LinkedIn – Atoms](https://www.linkedin.com/company/atomsco) 5. [Greenhouse – Atoms Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/cssmerge) ## Other roles at Atoms - [Light Commercial HVAC/R Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/light-commercial-hvac-r-technician-atoms-denver-822rs9ea8hnn) — Denver, CO - [Production Quality Inspector](https://feeny.ai/job/production-quality-inspector-atoms-san-francisco-wyrv1xy4w44q) — San Francisco, CA - [Staff Software Engineer - Vehicle & Hardware Security](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-software-engineer-vehicle-hardware-security-atoms-san-francisco-bxwxgg4p7t9x) — San Francisco, CA - [Senior Software Engineer - Infrastructure Security Platform](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-infrastructure-security-platform-atoms-seattle-2288vtezrrwe) — Seattle, WA - [Physical & Facility Security Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/physical-facility-security-engineer-atoms-san-francisco-sec2pcnywc34) — San Francisco, CA - [Customer Success Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-success-associate-atoms-los-angeles-k0s5xn3zjfbp) — Los Angeles, CA - [Senior Software Engineer - Cloud & Platform Security](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-cloud-platform-security-atoms-san-francisco-8bkrvz3tc5gw) — San Francisco, CA - [Corporate Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/corporate-counsel-atoms-los-angeles-m3r4p7jetrec) — Los Angeles, CA - [Payroll Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/payroll-specialist-atoms-amman-vcc203yh69x4) — Amman, Jordan - [Global Mobility Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/global-mobility-associate-atoms-san-francisco-5m5fmayrdh3t) — San Francisco, CA