Hotel Kitchen Team Leader

Premier Inn; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Whitbread Benefits card

Pension and saving schemes

Discounts

Job summary

Premier Inn in Southend-on-Sea is seeking a Kitchen Team Leader to run the kitchen day to day, manage rotas, place orders, and lead the team through busy services. You’ll work closely with your Hotel Manager and take full ownership of the kitchen—from food quality to hygiene.

This hands‑on leadership role is designed to build the skills needed to progress toward Head Chef, with responsibilities spanning stock control, cost management, and ensuring health and safety standards across the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Lead a kitchen team, manage rotas and orders.
• Oversee food quality and hygiene.
• Work with Hotel Manager to own the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Own food ordering, stock control and keeping food costs on track.
• Take the lead during service – organise the team and manage workflow.
• Prepare, cook and serve menu items to spec, from breakfasts to pub dishes.
• Ensure health, safety and hygiene standards are met and records kept up to date.
• Step in to run shifts and onboard new team members.
• Learn kitchen management to progress toward senior roles.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Rotas

Stock control

Job description

Kitchen Team Leader – Southend Airport Premier Inn

Join our team at Southend Airport Premier Inn as a Kitchen Team Leader and move your Chef career forward. You’ll run the kitchen day to day – managing rotas, placing food orders, leading the team through busy services, and keeping everything audit‑ready. Working closely with your Hotel Manager, you’ll take full ownership of the kitchen – from food quality to hygiene. It’s a hands‑on leadership role that’s perfect for anyone ready to build the skills to become a Head Chef.

A conditional sale of the restaurant site has been agreed and this role may be in scope to TUPE transfer to Common Table Group.

PAY RATE:

Up to £14.31 per hour

HOURS:

40 hours per week

LOCATION:

Thanet Grange, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6GB

Why you’ll love it here:

• Training and support: We’ve got user-friendly equipment that will make your shift easier from the start and the training that’ll give you a real career path in our kitchens.
• Apprenticeships: We offer them at any age, so learn while you earn and get a nationally-recognised qualification for your skills.
• Whitbread Benefits card: Enjoy up to 60% off Premier Inn rooms and 25% off meals in Whitbread Restaurants
• Pension and saving schemes: Company pension and save as you earn scheme
• Discounts: Get money off shops, your utility bills, travel, cinema trips, supermarkets and more

What you’ll do:

Join our team at Southend Airport Premier Inn as a Kitchen Team Leader and take the next step in your Chef career. You’ll get the keys to our kitchen to grow your team, create our much-loved meals and make your mark as part of the UK’s leading hospitality business, Whitbread.

• Own food ordering, stock control and keeping food costs on track for the entire hotel
• Take the lead during service – organising the team, managing workflow, and ensuring everything runs smoothly
• Prepare, cook, and serve our menu to spec – from legendary Premier Inn breakfasts to pub classics
• Make sure the kitchen always meets health, safety and hygiene standards – keeping the team trained and records up to date
• Step up when needed – running shifts and helping new team members settle in
• Learn the ins and outs of kitchen management so you’re ready to take on more senior roles as you grow your career with us.