BBQ Pitmaster-Lawrence
About The Position
Q39 is Growing – Join Our Culinary Team! Kansas City’s award-winning BBQ is expanding! We’re opening a new location in Lawrence, Kansas, and we’re building an exceptional culinary team to help us bring our passion for world-class BBQ and scratch-made, chef-inspired cuisine to even more guests. "Real Pitmasters Don’t Watch the Clock — They Watch the Flame." Welcome to Q39 BBQ! The Pitmaster is the heart of Q39’s award-winning barbecue operation. This role is responsible for managing all aspects of meat smoking — from trimming and seasoning to cooking and holding — using traditional wood-burning pits and smokers. Precision, patience, and a deep respect for the craft of barbecue are essential.
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in a pitmaster, smokehouse, or BBQ-specific cooking role.
- Strong understanding of meat preparation, smoke profiles, and cook times.
- Familiarity with commercial smokers (Southern Pride, Ole Hickory, offset smokers, etc.).
- Ability to work independently and manage long cook cycles overnight or early morning.
- Excellent time management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Must be able to lift 50+ lbs and work in hot environments for extended periods.
- ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
- Stand for long periods; lift heavy trays of meat.
- Handle high heat, sharp tools, and fast-paced kitchen environments.
- Ability to smell, observe, and taste for quality control.
Nice To Haves
- ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain commercial smokers and pits, ensuring proper wood use, temperature control, and smoke flow.
- Trim, season, and prepare meats (brisket, ribs, pork, chicken, etc.) according to Q39 standards.
- Monitor internal meat temperatures and smoking times for consistency and quality.
- Coordinate timing of meat pulls for lunch and dinner service.
- Track yields and maintain daily production logs.
- Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety in the smokehouse and prep area.
- Communicate with prep cooks, line cooks, and management to ensure accurate forecasting and readiness.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety standards and regulations.
Benefits
- Competitive pay, shift meals, and growth opportunities
- Hands-on experience with traditional and modern smoking techniques
- Pride in serving award-winning, handcrafted barbecue
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
