Executive Chef (Willow)

Parogon Head Office; Stone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a rapidly growing hospitality group as an Operations Lead for the Willow brand. You’ll ensure operational excellence across sites, lead menu launches, and develop kitchen teams, playing a vital role in a vibrant culinary environment. With a focus on passion for food and teamwork, this opportunity is not just a job, it's a chance to make your mark.

Qualifications

• A branded restaurant background with a strong understanding of fresh-food kitchens.
• 12+ years of experience in kitchens, with a proven track record.
• 2+ years in a multi-site or senior kitchen/operations role.

Responsibilities

• Ensure KPIs across all sites are consistently met.
• Lead brand-wide menu launches and open new sites.
• Inspire and coach Head Chefs and build future kitchen leaders.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Team Leadership

Menu Development

Problem Solving

Food Passion

Job description

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Location: Across all Willow sites (occasional HQ meetings)

Department: Operations / Kitchen / Management

Reports to:Group Executive Chef

We’re on the hunt for a dynamic, passionate, sleeves-rolled-up Operations Lead to take the reins across our Willow brand. You’ll be a key player in ensuring our kitchens are consistent, high-performing, and brimming with energy. This isn’t a desk job – you’ll be where the action is, across all our Willow sites, helping teams thrive and menus sing.

If you're someone who gets a buzz from launching menus, opening new sites, leading chefs, and building unstoppable kitchen teams, then we want to hear from you.

Location: Across all Willow sites (occasional HQ meetings)

Department: Operations / Kitchen / Management

Reports to:Group Executive Chef

We’re on the hunt for a dynamic, passionate, sleeves-rolled-up Operations Lead to take the reins across our Willow brand. You’ll be a key player in ensuring our kitchens are consistent, high-performing, and brimming with energy. This isn’t a desk job – you’ll be where the action is, across all our Willow sites, helping teams thrive and menus sing.

If you're someone who gets a buzz from launching menus, opening new sites, leading chefs, and building unstoppable kitchen teams, then we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

Operational Excellence

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  Make sure KPIs across all Willow sites are met – consistently and confidently.

  
  


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  Be the steady hand behind efficient day-to-day kitchen operations: stock control, prep levels, service speed, and food quality.

  
  

Menu Launches & Openings

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  Roll out brand-wide menu launches twice a year.

  
  


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  Lead the opening of any new Willow sites with flair, precision, and a checklist that leaves nothing to chance.

  
  


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  Potential involvement in menu development depending on your skillset (if you’ve got the magic, bring it!).

  
  

Team Development

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  Inspire and coach our Head Chefs.

  
  


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  Build a pipeline of future kitchen managers and leaders.

  
  


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  Set the tone, set the standard, and lead from the front.

  
  

Brand Consistency

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  Ensure every Willow site looks, feels, and tastes like Willow.

  
  


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  Make consistency a non-negotiable – from the first bite to the final bill.

  
  

What We’re Looking For

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  A branded restaurant background with a strong understanding of what makes a fresh-food kitchen tick.

  
  


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  At least 12 years of experience in kitchens – you've worked your way up and seen it all.

  
  


• 
  

  At least 2 years in a multi-site or senior kitchen/ops role, preferably in a branded setting.

  
  


• 
  

  A background that combines ‘proper kitchens’ with modern branded environments.

We’ll Get On If You...

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  Work hard, fast, smart – and with a good dose of heart.

  
  


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  Are deeply passionate about food, teamwork, and guest experience.

  
  


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  Stay organised under pressure, and thrive on solving problems before they happen.

  
  


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  Love getting stuck in and genuinely enjoy leading by example.

  
  


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  Can inspire others to deliver greatness, every single day.

  
  

Why Join Us?

Parogon is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting hospitality groups in the region – and Willow is our trailblazing, feel-good brand. Join now and be part of something you’ll be proud of. Not just another job – this is a chance to make your mark.