BBQ Pitmaster
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Q39 LLC INC
MO
Summary
The Pitmaster is responsible for the daily preparation and smoking of barbecue meats while ensuring adherence to quality standards and recipes. Additionally, this role oversees back-of-house staff training, inventory management, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
Job Description
Job DetailsJob Location: Q39 LSMO - Lees Summit, MO 64081Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/yearJOB SUMMARY: Pitmaster
Reports to: Restaurant Chef
Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 annually
Company: Q39 LLC
Job Purpose:
Our passion is creating craveable, memorable dining experiences. Our passion is creating craveable, memorable dining experiences. The Pitmaster Sous Chef is responsible for maintaining exceptional food quality and cleanliness, ensuring adherence to Q39 recipes, smoking standards, and health regulations. This role leads the smoking and preparation of all barbecue meats to Q39 quality standards, while also leading and training back-of-house teams, driving a positive and productive work environment, completing daily ordering and line checks, and achieving targeted scores on EcoSure and local health inspections.
Key Accountabilities:
Pitmaster Leadership – Prepare and cook barbecue meats daily according to Q39 recipes, portioning, and cooking standards, ensuring consistent food quality.
• Operate smokers and execute all core barbecue tasks (loading, wrapping, temp checks, glazing, rib and brisket prep, pork, sausage, chicken).
• Perform smoker care and maintenance to ensure consistent performance and food quality.
Team Management – Train, develop, and oversee back-of-house staff, provide coaching on performance, safety, and teamwork, and assist the Kitchen Manager with labor scheduling and shift coverage.
Inventory & Ordering – Place orders, maintain pars, verify deliveries for quality and accuracy, and monitor food cost and waste through portion control and standard procedures.
Equipment & Facility Oversight – Ensure all kitchen equipment is clean, maintained, and operational, including preventative maintenance programs.
Compliance & Safety – Lead adherence to all federal, state, county, and municipal health and safety regulations; implement corrective actions for policy violations.
Daily Operations – Complete line checks, coordinate with management on quality, resolve operational issues, and document incidents, repairs, and employee performance using 7Shifts.
Continuous Improvement – Support execution of all Q39 guidelines, recommend performance enhancements, and ensure consistent implementation of back-of-house procedures.
QualificationsRequirements:
Must have experience working in a high-volume environment.
Experienced in a variety of kitchen stations and multiple cooking styles
Must be able to trim and portion cuts of meat.
1-2 years of full-service kitchen management experience
3+ years of restaurant cooking experience
Read, write, and speak English fluently, Spanish is a plus.
Display basic knowledge of operation of computers and tablets. Including MS word, excel and outlook.
Excellent communication skills
Q39 is a chef-driven, world-class barbecue restaurant in Kansas City, blending traditional competition-style BBQ with innovative, from-scratch cuisine and renowned hospitality.
Founded in 2014 by the late Chef Rob Magee, Q39 continues to thrive under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Kelly Magee. With established locations in Midtown Kansas City and Overland Park—and new locations coming soon to Lawrence and Lee’s Summit—Q39 is expanding its reach while staying true to its Kansas City roots.
Q39 offers an elevated “pit-to-plate” dining experience in an urban rustic setting, complete with an open kitchen and full-service bar. The menu features competition-style smoked meats, in-house ground Certified Angus Beef burgers, wood-fired grilled plates, and BBQ-inspired dishes—all crafted fresh daily.
Led by Executive Chef Patrick Peluso, Q39’s team is passionate about delivering exceptional food, genuine service, and a relaxed, vibrant dining environment. Known for its world-class hospitality, Q39 has earned national recognition and a loyal fan base.
Q39 is also deeply committed to giving back. Through partnerships, donations, and local involvement, the restaurant proudly supports nonprofit organizations and causes throughout the Kansas City metro. Being a strong community partner is as central to Q39’s mission as the food itself.
Whether you're a first-time guest or a lifelong fan, Q39 delivers an unforgettable barbecue experience—authentically Kansas City and unmistakably Q39.
Learn more at q39kc.com
Founded
2013
Company size
51-200 employees
Industry
Restaurants
Org type
Partnership
Headquarters
Kansas City, Missouri