Deputy Kitchen Manager

Holiday Inn Milton Keynes East; Newport Pagnell; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Kew Green Hotels is seeking a Deputy Kitchen Manager to support a high-quality, efficient kitchen operation and lead the team when the Kitchen Manager is away. You will ensure food safety, standards and profitability while maintaining guest satisfaction.

This role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and a proactive approach to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced hotel kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Teamwork

Communication

Hands-on

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.