Kitchen Manager

Realise HR; Longtown; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff accommodation available

Free parking

Discounts across the business

Career development and training

Job summary

Haithwaite Farm Café & Central Production Kitchen in Longtown, Cumbria, is hiring a hands-on Kitchen Manager. You will lead the kitchen and production operation, develop seasonal menus, manage stock and budgets, and ensure top food quality across cafe, events and farm shop.

We value strong leadership, Food Hygiene qualifications and a proactive, collaborative approach. The role is full-time, 40 hours per week, with weekends and occasional evenings, and offers staff accommodation and career

Qualifications

• A recognised NVQ qualification, or equivalent, in Food Preparation and Cooking.
• Current Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certifications.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing stock, purchasing and kitchen budgets.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the kitchen and production areas.
• Create, develop and implement seasonal menus.
• Ensure all food is prepared, presented and stored to the highest standards.
• Support food production for café service, events and farm shop operations.
• Drive sustainability initiatives and operational efficiencies throughout the kitchen.
• Manage stock control, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Monitor kitchen budgets, food costs and departmental expenditure.
• Manage rotas, holidays and labour costs effectively.
• Recruit, train, motivate and develop members of the kitchen team.
• Conduct staff reviews and support performance management processes.
• Promote a positive, professional and team-focused working culture.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and health & safety compliance.
• Ensure all kitchen records, temperature logs and administration are accurately completed.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Stock management

Budgeting

Organisational skills

Time management

Calm under pressure

Guest service

Education

NVQ in Food Preparation & Cooking

Job description

Role: Kitchen Manager
Location:Longtown, Cumbria
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, including regular weekends and occasional evenings
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Realise HR is working exclusively with Netherby Hall Limited to recruit an experienced and passionate Kitchen Manager for Haithwaite Farm Café & Central Production Kitchen.

Haithwaite Farm is the third and brand-new site for Netherby Hall Ltd. This is a key leadership position within the Haithwaite Farm Café and Central Production Kitchen, requiring a hands‑on manager who can lead a team, maintain exceptional food standards and support the continued growth of the business.

Role overview

This is a hands‑on management role where you will be responsible for delivering exceptional food quality, leading and developing the kitchen team, controlling costs, maintaining compliance standards and ensuring a seamless operation across the café, events and farm shop offer.

Working closely with the wider management team, you will help create outstanding food experiences that reflect the quality and values of Netherby Hall Ltd, while leading the day‑to‑day kitchen and production operation.

You will be responsible for:

Kitchen Operations & Food Quality

• Lead the day‑to‑day operation of the kitchen and production areas.
• Create, develop and implement seasonal menus.
• Ensure all food is prepared, presented and stored to the highest standards.
• Support food production for café service, events and farm shop operations.
• Drive sustainability initiatives and operational efficiencies throughout the kitchen.

Commercial Management & Stock Control

• Manage stock control, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Monitor kitchen budgets, food costs and departmental expenditure.
• Manage rotas, holidays and labour costs effectively.

People Leadership

• Recruit, train, motivate and develop members of the kitchen team.
• Conduct staff reviews and support performance management processes.
• Promote a positive, professional and team‑focused working culture.

Compliance & Kitchen Standards

• Maintain food safety, hygiene and health & safety compliance.
• Ensure all kitchen records, temperature logs and administration are accurately completed.

About you

You will be an experienced and passionate kitchen professional with previous experience managing a professional kitchen, ideally within a hospitality, restaurant, hotel or café environment.

A natural leader, you will be able to inspire and develop others while remaining organised, reliable and highly motivated. You will bring a positive, proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

You will be commercially aware and focused on delivering results, while maintaining a genuine passion for food quality, customer service and exceptional guest experiences. Professional, approachable and confident, you will be adaptable and flexible within a fast‑paced environment and committed to maintaining the highest standards across every aspect of the kitchen operation.

What you’ll bring:

Experience & Skills

• Previous experience managing a professional kitchen, ideally within a hospitality, restaurant, hotel or café environment.
• A recognised NVQ qualification, or equivalent, in Food Preparation and Cooking.
• Current Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certifications.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing stock, purchasing and kitchen budgets.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management abilities.
• The ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• A genuine passion for food quality and customer service.
• A positive, proactive and collaborative attitude.

Personal Qualities

• A natural leader who inspires and develops others.
• Organised, reliable and highly motivated.
• Commercially aware and focused on delivering results.
• Adaptable and flexible in a fast‑paced environment.
• Professional, approachable and confident.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards across every aspect of the kitchen operation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £38,000 per annum.
• Full‑time permanent position, 40 hours per week.
• Opportunity to influence menus and food development.
• Career development and training opportunities.
• Work within a growing independent hospitality business.
• Supportive and professional management team.
• Staff accommodation available.
• Free parking.
• Discounts across the business.