Head Chef: Lead a High-Impact Kitchen Team

Loungers; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Free meals on shifts

Christmas & Boxing Day off

Career development

Job summary

Loungers is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Fino Lounge. This permanent full-time role offers a 48-hour contract (40-hour option) with competitive pay, bonus, overtime, and real progression within a growing hospitality brand.

You’ll recruit and coach kitchen teams, own kitchen ops from service to pass, and drive GP, food quality and safety while building a one-team culture with front of house. 50% staff discount from day one.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Senior Sous Chef.
• Hands-on leader who can manage a busy kitchen and coach staff.
• Strong understanding of GP, labour, stock, wastage, and food safety KPIs.
• Ability to work a 48-hour week (with 40-hour option) and adapt to a growing brand.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the kitchen at Fino Lounge—leading every shift from open to close and ensuring food standards stay high.
• Recruit, develop and coach your kitchen team across all levels with clear development plans.
• Know menu specs and kitchen processes inside out; monitor issues and opportunities to maintain quality.
• Own a site-level action plan with the GM covering wait times, stock, ordering, and cleaning.
• Deliver on KPIs such as food quality, wait times, wastage, and GP; report on performance per shift.
• Schedule fair rotas aligned to sales and bookings; ensure a one-team culture with front of house.

Job description

Loungers is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Fino Lounge. This permanent full-time role offers a 48-hour contract (40-hour option) with competitive pay, bonus, overtime, and real progression within a growing hospitality brand.

You’ll recruit and coach kitchen teams, own kitchen ops from service to pass, and drive GP, food quality and safety while building a one-team culture with front of house. 50% staff discount from day one.