Chef Manager

Eastlands Venue Services Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Group Life Assurance

Birthday Day Off

Complimentary Meals on Shift

Employee Assistance Programme

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Eastlands Venue Services Limited is seeking a Chef Manager to lead The Residency kitchen at Etihad Campus. You will inspire a small brigade, shape the dining concept with Chef Patron, and actively engage with guests during service to create theatre.

Deliver Michelin-level cuisine, drive consistency, and manage stock, costs and labour while ensuring HACCP compliance and superb guest experiences. Extensive leadership and premium service mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading a kitchen team in a quality-driven restaurant or premium dining environment.
• Strong culinary skills with attention to detail, consistency and presentation.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Experience managing kitchen operations including stock control, food costs and labour.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen legislation.
• Passion for delivering outstanding food and guest experiences.
• Confident communicating with guests in a warm, engaging and professional manner.
• Ability to remain calm and make decisions in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent organisational, communication and time management skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event days.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen brigade to deliver Michelin-level standards.
• Build a positive, high-performance culture and coach chefs.
• Work with Adam Reid on menu development and quality control.
• Oversee stock control, GP and labour to optimise costs.
• Produce rotas and manage supplier relationships.
• Present dishes to guests and explain menu concepts.
• Deliver an immersive dining experience and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and food safety across all services.
• Ensure equipment, kitchen standards and open-kitchen theatre are maintained.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary excellence

Staff development

Stock control

Food safety

Guest experience

Communication

Poise under pressure

Time management

Flexibility

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Description

Department: Culinary

Location: Etihad Stadium

As Chef Manager for The Residency, you'll be responsible for leading the culinary operation, ensuring Michelin-level standards are delivered consistently while working closely with Adam Reid. You'll inspire a small brigade, oversee all kitchen operations and help shape one of the most exciting dining concepts within the Etihad Campus.

Unlike a traditional kitchen management role, you'll also be visible during service, engaging with guests and helping create the theatre behind The Residency experience.

Day to Day Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead and inspire the kitchen brigade.
• Build a positive, high-performance culture.
• Coach and develop chefs.
• Work alongside Adam Reid on menu development.

Culinary Excellence

• Deliver exceptional food to Michelin-level standards.
• Drive consistency across every service.
• Maintain food quality, presentation and portion control.
• Oversee food safety and HACCP compliance.

Operations

• Manage ordering, stock control and GP.
• Produce rotas and labour plans.
• Manage supplier relationships.
• Ensure equipment and kitchen standards are maintained.

Guest Experience

• Present dishes to guests.
• Explain menu concepts.
• Deliver an immersive dining experience.

Essential

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Previous experience in a leadership role within a quality-driven restaurant or premium dining environment.
• Strong culinary skills with exceptional attention to detail, consistency and presentation.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing kitchen team.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, including stock control, food costs and labour.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen legislation.
• Passion for delivering outstanding food and memorable guest experiences.
• Confident communicating with guests in a warm, engaging and professional manner.
• Ability to remain calm and make decisions in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• Excellent organisational, communication and time management skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event days.

Desirable

• Experience within a Michelin‑starred, Rosette or luxury dining environment.
• Experience working alongside a Chef Patron or Executive Chef.
• Experience within an open kitchen, chef's table or chef‑led dining concept.
• Passion for mentoring and developing aspiring chefs.
• Experience contributing to menu development and seasonal menu changes.
• Formal culinary qualification (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent).
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
• Knowledge of budgeting, GP management and supplier relationships.

Why Join Us?

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
• Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
• Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
• Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
• Company Pension Scheme
• Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
• Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus

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