Head Chef: Lead Dynamic Kitchen & Team Growth

Loungers plc; Melton Mowbray; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Overtime pay

Free meals on shift

Holiday / time off (Christmas & Boxing

Progression & training

Staff discounts

Loungefest events

Long service rewards

Early pay access

Charity support

Job summary

Loungers plc is hiring a full-time Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Montero Lounge, a local café bar. This hands-on role focuses on real cooking, team development and running a high-standard kitchen. You’ll manage shifts, recruit and coach your team, and ensure every dish leaves the pass perfectly.

The role includes a competitive base salary with bonus and overtime, tips shared across the team, paid overtime, and strong progression through in-house training and Future Ops development programs.

Qualifications

• Hands-on leadership and people management experience in a kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of menu specs and kitchen processes.
• Ability to coach and develop kitchen staff at all levels.
• Experience managing KPIs such as food quality and GP.
• Comfort with overtime and shift planning.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the kitchen at Montero Lounge, leading shifts from open to close.
• Recruit, develop and coach the kitchen team with clear development plans.
• Ensure menu specs and kitchen processes are followed and issues spotted early.
• Own site-level action plan with GM covering food wait times, stock, and cleaning.
• Deliver on KPIs: food quality, wait times, wastage, food safety and GP; report on performance.
• Schedule fair rotas in line with sales and bookings forecast; ensure right skill mix.
• Collaborate with front-of-house to build a one-team culture.

Skills

People leadership

Kitchen management

Staff development

Menu execution

Quality standards

Job description

Loungers plc is hiring a full-time Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Montero Lounge, a local café bar. This hands-on role focuses on real cooking, team development and running a high-standard kitchen. You’ll manage shifts, recruit and coach your team, and ensure every dish leaves the pass perfectly.

The role includes a competitive base salary with bonus and overtime, tips shared across the team, paid overtime, and strong progression through in-house training and Future Ops development programs.