Kitchen Manager

Lodestone House; Rugby; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Rugby School is seeking a Kitchen Manager to run the boarding house catering operation, delivering high quality food and service daily. You will lead a small team, manage stock and budgets, uphold food safety standards and ensure an excellent dining experience for pupils and staff.

With 40 hours per week across 5 days, you will influence menus, develop your team and contribute to a thriving boarding community through strong leadership and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Kitchen Manager or similar leadership role.
• Experience leading teams in a busy catering environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management and HACCP.
• Food Hygiene qualification.
• Experience managing budgets, stock control and labour costs.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day running of the boarding house catering operation, ensuring high standards of food quality and service.
• Lead and support the team, manage stock and budgets, and maintain food safety standards.
• Deliver an excellent dining experience for pupils, staff and visitors.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Allergen management

HACCP knowledge

Budget management

Stock control

Labour costs

Organisational skills

Education

Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

Kitchen Manager – Rugby School

40 Hours Per Week | 5 Days from 7 | Career Development Opportunities

More Than Just a Kitchen...

With 14 boarding houses, Rugby School is unlike most catering operations. Each house has its own kitchen, dining room and close-knit community, creating a unique home-from-home environment for around 45 to 55 pupils.

As Kitchen Manager, you'll lead the catering operation within one boarding house, building strong relationships with pupils, house staff and your team while delivering great food and service every day. You'll have the opportunity to influence menus, develop your team and create a dining experience that becomes an important part of daily boarding life. This is a role where you can genuinely influence both food quality and customer experience, making a real difference to the boarding community you support.

From breakfast through to supper, hospitality events and holiday catering for visiting groups, no two days are the same. This is a varied leadership role that combines culinary excellence, people management and operational responsibility within one of the UK's most prestigious boarding schools.

What You Need To Know

Location: Rugby School, Rugby

Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 days from 7

Development: Excellent opportunities for training and career progression

The Role

As Kitchen Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of a boarding house catering operation, ensuring high standards of food quality, service, compliance and financial performance.

You will lead and support your team, manage stock and budgets, maintain food safety standards and ensure an excellent dining experience for pupils, staff and visitors.

Essential

What We're Looking For

• Experience as a Kitchen Manager, Catering Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef or similar leadership role
• Experience leading teams within a busy catering environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management and HACCP procedures
• Food Hygiene qualification
• Experience managing budgets, stock control and labour costs
• Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills

You'll Also Be

• Passionate about food and hospitality
• A natural leader who develops and supports others
• Customer-focused and approachable
• Commercially aware and organised
• Committed to continuous improvement

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Check, including Children's Barred List clearance.

Rugby School and its catering partners are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All employees are expected to share this commitment.