Head Chef

Greene King; Southampton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33% employee discount

15% for loved ones across brands

50% employee discount at Greene King I

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced family-friendly maternity and

paternity support

Refer a Friend scheme – up to £1,500

Wagestream

Retail discounts

Job summary

The Testwood in Totton, part of Greene King, is seeking an experienced Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to take ownership of the kitchen, lead from the front and develop a high-performing team. This role offers £34,000–£38,000 plus bonus and a chance to shape a busy pub operation near Southampton.

Join us to deliver great food, strong GP, and a welcoming guest experience, with support for career development and a positive, collaborative kitchen culture.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role.
• Experience working in a busy pub, restaurant or high-volume kitchen.
• Hands-on approach and the confidence to lead from the front.
• Strong people-management and communication skills.
• A passion for great food and consistently high standards.
• A good understanding of food safety, hygiene and allergen management.
• Experience managing stock, waste, labour and kitchen costs.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of how the kitchen contributes to the wider business.
• The ability to stay calm, organised and positive during busy services.
• A genuine interest in developing people and helping them progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team to deliver their best.
• Take ownership of food quality, presentation and consistency across every service.
• Keep the kitchen organised, efficient and ready for busy periods.
• Manage stock, ordering and waste to help control costs and support strong GP performance.
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen standards.
• Plan rotas and manage kitchen resources to meet customer demand.
• Coach and training team members, helping them build their skills and confidence.
• Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to deliver a great customer experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve the food offer, grow sales and drive business performance.
• Create a positive kitchen culture where the team feels supported, motivated and proud of what they deliver.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

People management

Food safety

High-volume kitchen

Job description

What's the opportunity?

As Head Chef / Kitchen Manager, you'll be at the heart of the business, responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen and ensuring every dish meets our standards.

You’ll combine hands‑on kitchen leadership with the commercial know‑how needed to deliver a successful food operation.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen team to deliver their best.

• Taking ownership of food quality, presentation and consistency across every service.

• Keeping the kitchen organised, efficient and ready for busy periods.

• Managing stock, ordering and waste to help control costs and support strong GP performance.

• Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen standards.

• Planning rotas and managing kitchen resources to meet customer demand.

• Coaching and training team members, helping them build their skills and confidence.

• Working closely with the General Manager and front‑of‑house team to deliver a great customer experience.

• Identifying opportunities to improve the food offer, grow sales and drive business performance.

• Creating a positive kitchen culture where the team feels supported, motivated and proud of what they deliver.

Company Description

The Testwood, Totton
Head Chef / Kitchen Manager
Salary - £34,000 - £38,000 + Bonus

Ready to lead the kitchen, serve up great food and make your mark?

The Testwood in Totton is a welcoming, family‑friendly pub where great food and good times go hand in hand. Just a short drive from Southampton and on the outskirts of the beautiful New Forest, we’re a popular spot for locals, families and visitors looking for delicious pub classics and a warm welcome.

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to take ownership of our kitchen, lead from the front and bring out the best in the team. If you’re passionate about food, enjoy developing people and know how to keep a kitchen running smoothly, this could be your next opportunity.

#LI-SO1

Why The Testwood?

At The Testwood, we know that great pub food brings people together.

From juicy burgers and hearty pies to indulgent desserts and classic pub favourites, there’s something for everyone on our menu. Our spacious beer garden makes us a great place to relax, while our family‑friendly and dog‑friendly atmosphere means there’s always a warm welcome waiting.

With Totton on the edge of the New Forest and close to Southampton, we attract a mix of local customers, families and visitors exploring the area.

As Kitchen Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to make your mark on the food operation, build a team you’re proud of and help create the kind of experience that keeps customers coming back.

Additional Information

And there's plenty in it for you...

At Greene King, we’re passionate about helping our people build careers they’re proud of.

You’ll have access to:

• Career development opportunities across Greene King and our family of brands.

• Training and development at every level, including apprenticeships.

• 33% employee discount and 15% for loved ones across our brands.

• 50% employee discount and 25% for loved ones at Greene King Inns.

• Free Employee Assistance Programme.

• Enhanced family‑friendly maternity and paternity support.

• Menopause Friendly Employer.

• Refer a Friend scheme – up to £1,500.

• Wagestream.

• Retail discounts, including savings with Superdrug and Three Mobile.

Greene King is the country’s leading pub company and brewer. With over 220 years of history and a 39,000‑strong team, we’re on a mission to pour happiness into lives and become the pride of great British hospitality.

CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME, SAFE AND THAT THEY BELONG

We aim to embed inclusion into every decision we make – across our people, customers, communities, suppliers, and operations. We want to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to thrive.

Bring your passion. Lead the kitchen. Make The Testwood yours.

Qualifications

What we're looking for

We’re looking for someone who knows their way around a busy kitchen and has the leadership skills to bring a team together.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role.

• Experience working in a busy pub, restaurant or high-volume kitchen.

• A hands‑on approach and the confidence to lead from the front.

• Strong people‑management and communication skills.

• A passion for great food and consistently high standards.

• A good understanding of food safety, hygiene and allergen management.

• Experience managing stock, waste, labour and kitchen costs.

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of how the kitchen contributes to the success of the wider business.

• The ability to stay calm, organised and positive during busy services.

• A genuine interest in developing people and helping them progress.