Head Kitchen Motivator (Hiring Immediately)

Wagamama; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading restaurant as a Senior Sous Chef, where you will inspire your team, maintain high food safety standards, and create an exceptional guest experience. Enjoy competitive benefits including a bonus scheme and discounts.

Benefits

Bonus scheme — up to £3,000 annually.

Access up to 30% of earnings before payday.

Free food on shift and 50% discount outside of work.

Industry-leading family-friendly policies.

Recognition as a nationwide wok star.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef.
• Strong communication skills to support the team.

Responsibilities

• Foster a positive environment for team and guests.
• Ensure food safety and maintain high standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Job description

Job Description

Senior Sous Chef | Full Time

With over three decades of celebrating individuality and diversity, we at Wagamama value personality over perfection — we call it be you, be Wagamama. Operating more than 165 restaurants, we are seeking a Senior Sous Chef to join us on our journey to nourish from bowl to soul.

The Role |

As a Senior Sous Chef, you will be an inspirational leader, fostering a positive environment for your team and guests. You will support in coaching and developing your team to excel while driving restaurant performance and achieving excellent results.

We are looking for someone who |

• Focuses on creating a positive environment where your team feels cared for and listened to, celebrating successes, nurturing talent, and role-modeling a coaching culture.
• Is dedicated to ensuring an exceptional guest experience, maintaining high standards for food preparation, and equipping your team with necessary skills and mindset.
• Ensures food safety, health, and safety standards are maintained, understands financial aspects such as gross profit, stock control, and labor costs, and proactively spots opportunities for improvement.
• Builds a coaching culture within the team, working with the Head Chef on recruitment and ongoing development, fostering personal and professional growth.
• Is a forward-thinking problem solver, capable of quick decision-making and thinking on their feet.

What we look for |

• Experience leading a kitchen team as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef, driving performance in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Strong communication skills, capable of having genuine conversations that ensure your team feels heard and supported.
• Experience maintaining high standards in food safety and health standards.
• Understanding of kitchen financials, including gross profit and stock control.
• Ability to manage labor costs effectively, reacting to changing demands.
• Leadership qualities that inspire and engage the team to thrive in their roles and careers.
• A passion for creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and belongs.
• A proactive problem solver, able to make quick, effective decisions.

What’s in it for you |

• Bonus scheme — up to £3,000 annually.
• Access up to 30% of earnings before payday with Wagestream.
• Share of tips (100% of tips go to our teams; tips vary by restaurant and are at guest discretion).
• Free food on shift from our menu, plus 50% discount outside of work to treat friends and family.
• Industry-leading family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents.
• Opportunity to experience our new menus first.
• Dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift.
• Wagamama parties and VIP guest events throughout the year.
• Recognition as a nationwide wok star through our program.

We also offer pension schemes, holiday, training, cycle-to-work schemes, retail and leisure discounts, gym memberships, and long service awards.

Be you, be Wagamama

Wagamama is proudly part of the Disability Confident scheme.