Kitchen Manager

Valor Hospitality Careers - UK; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Valor Hospitality Careers - UK is recruiting a Kitchen Manager (Sous Chef level) for Holiday Inn Aylesbury. You will support the Head Chef and lead day-to-day kitchen operations across breakfast, the restaurant, the bar and 24-hour room service for up to 120 guests.

You’ll manage service, develop the brigade, oversee stock and costs, and ensure food safety and audit readiness. This is a permanent, full-time role with a 40-hour week and pay for every hour worked.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous or Senior Chef de Partie ready for the next step.
• Hotel/banqueting or high-volume kitchen experience.
• Calm, organised under pressure and developing others.
• Knowledge of food safety and allergen management; Level 3 Food Safety.
• Confident with stock, ordering and cost control; eager to learn.

Responsibilities

• Leading from the pass: running service across all outlets and maintaining quality on every plate.
• Developing the team: organising prep, coaching junior chefs and building a brigade that stays.
• Running the operation: handling ordering, stock control, rotas, GP and waste.
• Keeping standards high: managing food safety, allergens, health and safety to stay audit-ready.
• Taking charge: lead kitchen in Head Chef’s absence.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Stock control

Cost control

Food safety

Allergen management

Calm under pressure

Coaching juniors

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

Job description

Kitchen Manager (Sous Chef level) – Holiday Inn Aylesbury

£17.31 per hour, paid for every hour you work, on a 40‑hour week contract.

The role

As our Kitchen Manager, you’ll be our Head Chef’s right hand. You’ll share the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen and lead it when they’re not there. Our kitchen serves breakfast, the restaurant, the bar, 24‑hour room service, and meetings and events for up to 120 guests. Every service gives you the chance to lead from the front and grow a team.

You’ll be:

• Leading from the pass: running service across all outlets and keeping quality consistent on every plate.
• Developing the team: organising prep, coaching junior chefs and building a brigade people want to stay in.
• Running the operation: handling ordering, stock control, rotas, GP and waste.
• Keeping standards high: managing food safety, allergens, health and safety, and hygiene so we’re always audit‑ready.
• Taking charge: leading the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience as a Sous Chef, or as a strong Junior Sous or Senior Chef de Partie ready for the next step.
• Hotel, banqueting or high‑volume kitchen experience.
• A calm, organised approach under pressure, and a genuine interest in developing others.
• Good knowledge of food safety and allergen management. You’ll need Level 3 Food Safety, or be willing to achieve it.
• Confidence with stock, ordering and cost control, or an eagerness to learn.

Working hours

This is a permanent, full‑time role on a 40‑hour week. Most kitchens ask their Sous Chefs for 45 or 50 hours on a flat salary. We pay you for every hour you work, so the longer shifts are paid for and the rest of your time is your own. The rota covers early and late shifts, weekends and bank holidays, in line with the needs of the hotel.

Career growth

Valor is growing across the UK and internationally, and every new hotel needs a strong kitchen leader. Working alongside our Head Chef, you’ll build the skills and experience to step up to your own kitchen. We’ll support your development every step of the way.

About The Hotel

Holiday Inn Aylesbury is a 139‑bedroom, 4‑star hotel in a semi‑rural setting near the Chiltern Hills, just off the A41. Alongside the restaurant and bar, it has seven meeting and event rooms for up to 120 guests and a health club with an indoor pool. It is a busy, varied operation with a loyal mix of business, leisure, family and events guests.

What's in it for you?

Look at some of the Rewards and Benefits avaliable at Valor

We're an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. At Valor Hospitality, we actively welcome applications from candidates of all diverse backgrounds.

Every application is carefully reviewed against the relevant skills and experience for the role, and we'll be in touch if you're a good match and have been selected for interview.

Please note that employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK