Deputy Kitchen Manager

Holiday-Inn; Chatham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded apprenticeships

Discounts on hotel stays

Gym and leisure facilities access

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Kew Green Hotels is seeking a Deputy Kitchen Manager to support day-to-day leadership of the kitchen, uphold food quality, safety, and team performance, and drive profitable operations.

You’ll work closely with the Kitchen Manager, stepping in during absence, helping with menu planning, stock control, and coaching the team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations and food safety standards.
• Proactive hands-on leader with ability to motivate others.
• Cost control and waste reduction awareness.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead in the absence of the Kitchen Manager to ensure smooth operations.
• Ensure all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and food safety.
• Assist with menu planning and implementation to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Maintain cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Assist with stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste.
• Provide ideas to improve kitchen performance and guest experience.
• Ensure health, safety and food safety standards are met.
• Train, motivate and supervise team members to deliver service excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Team motivation

Communication

Job description

We’re looking for a driven and ambitious Deputy Kitchen Manager to support the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and profitable kitchen operation.

Working closely with the Kitchen Manager, you’ll play a key role in leading the team, maintaining standards and ensuring every dish contributes to a great guest experience.

About the Role

You’ll support the day-to-day leadership of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety and team performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Stepping into a leadership role in the absence of the Kitchen Manager, ensuring smooth operations.
• Ensuring all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and food safety requirements.
• Working alongside the Kitchen Manager on menu planning and implementation to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Supporting stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste and support profitability.
• Contributing ideas and feedback to improve kitchen performance and guest experience.
• Ensuring all health, safety, hygiene and food safety standards are consistently met.
• Training, motivating and supervising team members to deliver service excellence.

About You

You’re an aspiring kitchen leader with a passion for food, people and performance. You’re ready to take on more responsibility and develop your leadership capability.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level.
• A good understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and compliance standards.
• Strong leadership potential, with the ability to motivate and influence others.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and willingness to step up when needed.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of cost control and waste reduction.
• The ability to perform under pressure in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A positive, can‑do attitude and a desire to progress your career.

What’s in it for you

• Career development through fully funded apprenticeships and our internal development programme.
• Discounts on hotel stays and a variety of major retailers, restaurants and days out.
• Free use of our gyms, pools, and leisure facilities.
• 24/7 access to wellbeing, financial, and legal support.

At Kew Green Hotels, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know at [e-mail] - we’re here to support you.

Who are Kew Green Hotels?

Kew Green Hotels is one of the UK’s leading hotel management companies, operating a diverse portfolio of global brands. We’re a people-driven business that’s passionate about performance, guest experience, and creating hotels and teams that make us proud.

Learn more about who we are and what drives us at www.kewgreenhotels.com.