Hotel Kitchen - Team Leader

Premier Inn; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 18,460,000 - 30,754,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & support

Apprenticeships

Whitbread Benefits card

Pension plan

Discounts

Job summary

Premier Inn Southend-on-Sea is seeking a Kitchen Team Leader to run the kitchen day to day, manage rotas, place orders, and lead a busy team. You’ll work closely with the Hotel Manager to maintain food quality and hygiene, and you’ll build the foundations to progress toward Head Chef.

This hands-on leadership role focuses on cost control, service flow, and consistent standards, with opportunities to grow your career within the UK’s leading hospitality business, Whitbread.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

Kitchen Team Leader – Southend-on-Sea (Eastern Esplanade) Premier Inn

Join our team at Premier Inn [Insert Location] 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.

PAY RATE:

Up to £14.31 per hour

HOURS:

30 hours per week

LOCATION:

Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2YT

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 Premier Inn Southend-on-Sea (Eastern Esplanade) 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.