Italian Kitchen Lead: Shift Captain & Growth Path

Zizzi; Telford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Earned wages access (Stream)

Free meals on shift

50% off when you're off shift

24/7 Virtual GP

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Staff discounts

Job summary

Zizzi is seeking an Assistant Head Chef to join our open kitchen, partnering with the Head Chef to lead shifts, run the pass, and inspire the team during busy periods. You’ll balance a buzzing restaurant floor with fast-paced delivery channels and maintain our high standards of food, service, and safety.

As a hands-on leader, you’ll focus on stock, labour, prep, and cost control while mentoring junior chefs and driving performance.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef, Junior Sous, or Senior Chef in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Love of Italian food, consistency, and high standards.
• Confident leader who can run a shift and motivate a team.
• Ability to stay calm, organised, and ready to guide the team during our busiest times, including evenings, weekends and holiday periods.
• Solid understanding of kitchen operations, including stock management, wastage, and labour control.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and run the pass in the Head Chef’s absence, keeping service flawless, fast, and on point.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and picture-perfect consistency across dine-in and out-of-restaurant delivery orders.
• Support the management team by hitting kitchen performance metrics with stock, labour, managing prep, and cost control.
• Coach and develop junior chefs, sharing your skills to build confidence, talent, and team spirit.
• Act as a role model for safety, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, compliance, and food safety are always spot on.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Italian cuisine

Stock management

Food safety

Job description

Zizzi is seeking an Assistant Head Chef to join our open kitchen, partnering with the Head Chef to lead shifts, run the pass, and inspire the team during busy periods. You’ll balance a buzzing restaurant floor with fast-paced delivery channels and maintain our high standards of food, service, and safety.

As a hands-on leader, you’ll focus on stock, labour, prep, and cost control while mentoring junior chefs and driving performance.