Job Description
About Us Mamahuhu is built around the idea that food brings people, communities, and cultures together. Chinese-American food is a perfect example - with its roots in China and its evolution in America, it unites cultures in a shared space of connection.
Many of us grew up with fond memories of meals shared around plates or takeout boxes of Chinese-American food. We fell in love early on with these dishes, whose bright colors and bold flavors brought excitement, comfort, and joy. At Mamahuhu, our goal is to continue that tradition by offering thoughtful new expressions of classic Chinese-American dishes that are fun, nourishing, and absolutely delicious.
A big part of this mission is focusing on how our food is made and where it comes from. We are committed to ethical sourcing and high-quality ingredients, while building meaningful relationships with farmers and customers alike. By serving in a modern fast-casual setting and at an affordable price point, we're making well-sourced, delicious food accessible to more people.
Simply put: our mission is to create happier and healthier communities by spreading the joy of Chinese-American fare and tradition. We envision a future in which delicious, affordable, and sustainably sourced food is the norm - and we're working every day to make that vision a reality.
Our Team Mamahuhu's founding team includes Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu's in San Francisco's Chinatown and Anmao Sun and Ben Moore of Hunter Gatherer, a farm-to-table restaurant group in Shanghai, China.
- Mister Jiu's opened in 2016 and earned a Michelin star that same year.
- Hunter Gatherer has opened multiple restaurants across Shanghai and owns two organic farms in mainland China.
Our team's experiences span fast casual to fine dining, across both the US and China, but everything converges on a shared passion for Chinese-American food and sustainable sourcing. Mamahuhu is our chance to bring all of that together and share the food we'd love to eat every day.
We can't wait to build the inaugural Palo Alto team and open our doors!
The Shift Lead plays a key leadership role in ensuring smooth, consistent operations and an excellent guest experience. They oversee daily opening and closing operations, ensuring smooth transitions between shifts and upholding Mamahuhu's standards. Shift Leads are hands-on leaders who set the tone for service, coach their teammates, and model Mamahuhu's hospitality standards in every shift.
While this position is often filled through internal promotion, we welcome external candidates who bring proven leadership experience, a strong work ethic, and a passion for people and great food.
Key Responsibilities Operational Excellence - Lead shifts and ensure all closing/opening procedures are completed to standard.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe restaurant environment at all times.
- Consistently follows all Mamahuhu operating systems, checklists, and standards without reminders. Writes clear, effective shift notes that communicate key updates, issues, and priorities to the next shift.
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making skills during high-volume periods.
- Take initiative to anticipate needs and delegate effectively to team members.
- Ensure accurate cash handling and completion of end-of-shift reporting.
Guest Experience - Deliver warm, genuine hospitality and create a welcoming environment for every guest.
- Resolve guest concerns with professionalism, empathy, and speed.
- Demonstrate in-depth menu knowledge and confidently guide guest decisions.
- Lead by example in maintaining high standards of service and presentation.
Leadership and Team Development - Set the tone for teamwork, positivity, and accountability.
- Communicate clearly and respectfully under pressure.
- Build strong collaboration between FOH and BOH teams.
- Support and coach team members throughout service.
- Takes ownership of the shift and functions as the acting lead for the team when the GM is off.
Qualifications - Previous experience in a leadership role preferred (restaurant or retail).
- Strong communication, organization, and people skills.
- Ability to lead by example and maintain composure under pressure.
- Demonstrated dependability, punctuality, and integrity.
- Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- For internal candidates: minimum of 1 month of successful employment at Mamahuhu and strong performance history.
Traits for Success - Calm, confident, and solutions-oriented.
- Naturally takes initiative and ownership of outcomes.
- Brings positive energy that motivates the team.
- Balances guest satisfaction with operational efficiency.
- Passionate about hospitality, people, and continuous growth.
The pay range for this role is:
19 - 21 USD per hour (Mamahuhu Mill Valley)
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Casual work, Flexible hours, Shift work, Afternoon shift,