Sushi Department Leader Costa Mesa

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Description

Tokyo Central is bringing authentic Japanese flavors, premium groceries, and exceptional service to the East Bay – and we’re looking for passionate team members to join our growing family.

We are seeking a skilled, passionate, and detail-oriented individual to join our growing team as a Sushi Department Leader. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing, assembling, and presenting high-quality sushi and Japanese cuisine items in a clean, fast-paced, and customer-focused retail environment. You will play a vital role in maintaining product freshness, food safety, and merchandising standards, while ensuring customer satisfaction through exceptional service and culinary expertise.

Whether you’re a seasoned sushi chef or an enthusiastic learner with a passion for Japanese cuisine, we invite you to become part of a collaborative team committed to quality, creativity, and excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Food Preparation & Culinary Execution

• Prepare a wide range of sushi, including nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, poke bowls, and specialty items according to established recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards.
• Ensure all sushi products are prepared fresh daily and meet or exceed food safety and quality standards.
• Operate sushi rice cookers, sushi knives, and other kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Maintain knowledge of sushi ingredients, cutting techniques, and food pairing best practices.
• Monitor freshness and rotate ingredients using FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory practices.

2. Customer Service & Engagement

• Interact with customers in a friendly, knowledgeable, and professional manner.
• Provide recommendations on menu items, answer questions about ingredients or dietary concerns, and fulfill special requests when possible.
• Offer samples and promote new or seasonal items to enhance the customer experience and drive sales.

3. Sanitation & Food Safety

• Maintain a clean and organized work area at all times, including sushi prep areas, refrigerators, cutting boards, and display cases.
• Adhere strictly to food safety protocols and hygiene standards in compliance with local health department regulations.
• Ensure all products are properly labeled with ingredients, allergens, expiration dates, and pricing.

4. Inventory & Merchandising

• Assist in ordering, receiving, and stocking sushi ingredients and supplies.
• Monitor inventory levels to minimize waste and ensure product availability.
• Set up and maintain attractive and well-stocked sushi displays that align with department and company merchandising standards.
• Accurately label, package, and date products for retail display.

5. Team Collaboration

• Work closely with other kitchen team members, department leads, and store staff to ensure smooth operations and consistent quality.
• Attend department meetings and participate in training sessions to improve skills and product knowledge.
• Assist with cross-functional duties as needed, including special events, catering, or seasonal promotions.

Qualifications:
Required:

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to stand, bend, and lift up to 50lbs for extended periods.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to food safety and hygiene standards.

Preferred:

• 1+ year experience in sushi preparation, Japanese cuisine, or food service.
• Culinary training or certification in food handling (SERV Safe or equivalent).
• Knowledge of Japanese ingredients, traditional preparation methods, and knife skills.
• Bilingual skills (e.g., English/Japanese, English/Spanish) a plus.

What We Offer:

• Competitive hourly wage or salary (commensurate with experience).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (for eligible employees).
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Employee discounts on store products.
• Opportunities for career advancement and culinary training.
• A dynamic, respectful, and supportive team environment.

Work Environment:

• Fast-paced, high-traffic retail setting with a focus on fresh food service.
• Exposure to refrigerated and wet environments, knives, and food allergens.
• Requires manual dexterity, precision, and attention to detail in all tasks.

Cross-Training & Departmental Flexibility
To support operational excellence and employee development, this role includes cross-training and collaboration across departments. Team members may be assigned tasks outside their primary area

Requirements

Benefits/Perks
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Sick Leave
• May qualify for Health Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance available for Life and Disability Insurance
• 401 K (after one year)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Delica Department Leader oversees budgets in discussing with Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, HQMD, etc. To achieve the budget, s/he will actively lead the team regarding internal policies, departmental revenues, expenses, customer satisfaction, inventory, and employee morale.
Customer Service:
• Establish the expectation of providing the highest level of personal conduct and customer service
• Greets and interacts with customers in a courteous and professional manner
• Observe customers and listen to their voices and thoughts to implement plans to improve customer service and satisfaction
• Provide comfortable and enjoyable place for customers
• Communicate effectively and in a friendly manner to solve problems with customers’ requests and service complaints with a calm and listening attitude
Personnel Management:
• Communicate with all the staffs at the store frequently on each working shift, and provide reassurance and motivate them
• Supervise all employees training status, including Assistant Department Leader and Associates
• Train, coach, and develop department members on new policies, procedures, and product knowledge
• Prepares Performance Evaluations and counseling notices as required for direct reports
• Creates and reviews department associates’ timesheets for accuracy of hours, overtime, PSL, Holiday, PTO requests
• Conducts weekly meetings with staff to communicate relevant information from meetings, sales flyers and upcoming promotions
• Hold regular meetings with employees to share HQMD policies, store policies, etc.
• Performs Corrective Actions with Store Manager as needed following established policiy

Product Management:
• Supervise all the products are kept clean and in good condition
• Ensures that products are handled, stocked, rotated, and merchandised
• Analyze products trends such as sales, gross profit, unit price, and quantity
• Reviews appropriate pricing of products and effective POPs and other promotional materials
• Organizes and stocks properly per store’s layouts, planograms and HQMD measures
• Ability to use and teach all equipment and devices in the department
• Practice and teach weighing, pricing, labeling, organizing, and rotating products according to company standards
• Check the temperature of products to ensure freshness and quality

Report out-of-stocks and price discrepancies to Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager for resolution of the problem
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels to avoid over/under stocking problems
• Practice and teach ordering of products, trays, etc.
• Checks product temperature frequently for damage or quality defects and follow established return procedures
• Locate short lead time or low-quality items and record and dispose of them according to established procedures
• Prepare reports on discards, losses, deficiencies, shoplifting, etc. and report to Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager
• Promptly finalize POs and share with Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager and accounting team
• Track product information and prepare inventory reports for submission to Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager
• Prepare for the monthly physical inventory, and report to Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager for finalization
• Maintain good communication with store management, employees, and suppliers/vendors
• Attend department and all store meetings as assigned or as needed
Equipment and Facility:
• Ensure that all furniture, fixtures, and store operating facilities are company’s assets and that they are used and stored in optimal conditions
• Ensure that store work areas, food preparation areas, storage areas, etc. are organized, kept clean, and operated in accordance with company policies
Cost Management:
• Ensure that all expenses are being used to improve customer and employee satisfaction, and check their use regularly
• Always consider the cost-benefit ratio of expenses and foresees the operation, and get an approval from upper management depending on the amount
Operation and Maintenance:
• Enforces compliance with all local, state, federal regulations and company policy pertaining to safety and loss prevention
• In cooperation with the Store Manager, manage store operations, including opening/closing store
• Ensure the comfortable space around the department area, optimal management of refrigerators, freezers, and warehouses, and check facilities are maintained appropriately and kept in accordance with company’s policy
• Regularly check and analyze our competitors to improve our own store
• Works various shifts, days or nights as assigned by Store Manager/Assistant Store Manager in accordance with the Company’s business needs
• Other tasks as assigned by Store Manager / Assistant Store Manager / Division Manager

REQUIREMENTS

• Comfortable with working in a kitchen environment and follow Safety and cleanliness requirements set by the company, federal and state law, including but limited to FDA, OSHA, local health departments etc.
• Must be able to follow recipes and accurately measure ingredients
• Must be able to operate related equipment such as knives, scales, wrappers, compactors, garbage disposals, pallet jacks and hand trucks
• Able to deliver friendly, courteous, prompt customer service
• Able to read, write, and do simple math problems
• Able to interpret, understand and follow instructions
• Ability to effectively communicate and respond to questions from the general public and management
• Ability to interact with all levels of management
• Has or willing to obtain a CA Food Handler’s Certificate
• Other job related tasks as instructed by supervisors

Marukai is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E Verify.

Marukai is very aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and practices the highest and safest levels of precautions to keep associates safe with sanitizing practices, social distancing, personal protective equipment, and safety screening in adherence with the Health Department, CDC, State, Local, and Federal laws.

All Candidates must be able to work evening shifts, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.