At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech strategy for Chipotle's European restaurants and optimise systems for growth.
- Company: Join Chipotle, a leader in sustainable food and innovative restaurant technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fast food with cutting-edge technology and a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in restaurant tech leadership and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast‑food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.
THE OPPORTUNITY Head of Restaurant Technology & Systems is responsible for defining and delivering the end‑to‑end technology strategy for the European business. This role ensures that Chipotle’s global technology platforms are effectively localized, scaled, and optimized to support growth, operational excellence, and strong financial performance across the region. Reporting into the Managing Director for Europe, this role owns restaurant technology across Front of House (FOH), Back of House (BOH), digital channels, and field IT operations, ensuring systems are robust, compliant, and continuously improving. The role will lead strategic technology initiatives, oversee hardware and processes, and manage field technology teams to enable great team member and guest experiences.
What You’ll Do
- Technology Strategy & Leadership
- Define and execute the European restaurant technology strategy in alignment with global Chipotle standards and European business priorities.
- Lead the localisation and deployment of Chipotle’s technology platforms to enable scalable growth across multiple European markets.
- Act as the senior technology partner to Operations, Finance, People, and Digital teams.
- Restaurant & Digital Technology
- Own the strategic roadmap for restaurant systems including POS, BOH systems, kitchen display systems, networking, and in‑restaurant hardware.
- Lead major rollouts and upgrades of BOH and FOH technologies, ensuring minimal disruption to restaurant operations.
- Drive strategic initiatives around the Chipotle app and digital ecosystem, working closely with global and regional digital teams.
- Operational Excellence & P&L Impact
- Optimize technology to deliver measurable efficiencies, cost savings, and productivity improvements that positively impact the P&L.
- Ensure technology solutions improve speed of service, accuracy, labour efficiency, and overall restaurant performance.
- Establish KPIs and reporting to track technology performance, uptime, and return on investment.
- Compliance, Security & Reliability
- Ensure compliance with all relevant technology, data security, and regulatory requirements across European markets.
- Own technology governance, risk management, and incident response for restaurant systems.
- Maintain and continuously improve hardware standards, lifecycle management, and support processes.
- Team Leadership & Tech Capability Building
- Lead, coach, and develop the IT Field Analyst team, setting clear priorities and performance expectations.
- Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes for all technology equipment and access for new hires.
- Build scalable support models to ensure restaurants receive timely, high‑quality technology support as the estate grows.
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage key technology vendors and service providers, ensuring strong performance, value for money, and alignment to business needs.
- Partner with global technology teams to influence roadmap decisions and represent European requirements so that we can align, where it makes sense, and optimise our tech ecosystem.
What You’ll Bring To The Table
- Senior technology leadership experience within restaurants, hospitality, retail, or multisite operations.
- Strong understanding of restaurant technology ecosystems, including POS, BOH systems, digital ordering, and in‑store hardware.
- Proven experience localising and scaling global technology platforms across multiple countries.
- Demonstrated ability to link technology initiatives to operational efficiency and financial outcomes.
- Experience leading field‑based IT or technology support teams.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at executive level.
- Solid understanding of technology compliance, security, and risk management.
Who We Are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices.
European Restaurant Tech & Systems Leader employer: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of innovation and sustainability, making it a leader in the fast-food industry. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer robust training and development opportunities, ensuring our team members thrive in their careers while contributing to meaningful change in food accessibility. Located in vibrant European markets, our collaborative work environment fosters creativity and allows you to be at the forefront of technology in the restaurant sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land European Restaurant Tech & Systems Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the restaurant tech scene, especially those connected to Chipotle. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got experience with POS systems or digital ordering, make sure to highlight that in conversations. We want to see how you can bring value to our tech ecosystem.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision! When you get the chance to chat with us, come prepared with ideas on how to optimise technology for better service and efficiency. We love innovative thinkers!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our mission to cultivate a better world.
We think you need these skills to ace European Restaurant Tech & Systems Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food Tech:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for the intersection of technology and food. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your passion for improving restaurant operations through tech.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the European Restaurant Tech & Systems Leader role. Highlight your experience with POS systems, BOH technologies, and any successful projects you've led in similar environments.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication. Keep your application clear and to the point, focusing on your key achievements and how they relate to the role. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chipotle Mexican Grill
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the restaurant technology ecosystems, especially POS and BOH systems. Familiarise yourself with Chipotle's specific tech platforms and be ready to discuss how you can localise and scale these technologies across multiple European markets.
✨Link Tech to Business Outcomes
Prepare examples that demonstrate how your previous technology initiatives have led to operational efficiency and improved financial performance. Be ready to explain how you would optimise technology to enhance speed of service and overall restaurant performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential leader, it's crucial to highlight your experience in managing field-based IT teams. Share your approach to coaching and developing team members, and how you set clear priorities and performance expectations to drive success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong stakeholder management skills by discussing how you've influenced decisions at an executive level in the past. Be prepared to talk about your experience working with vendors and how you ensure alignment with business needs.