Kitchen Manager

Aramark; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Aramark UK is seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead the hotel food and beverage kitchen operation at Warwick Castle. You will ensure high-quality dining, compliance with food safety regulations, and efficient service in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will develop and coach a predominantly young kitchen team, manage stock, labour planning, and menu execution while contributing ideas to enhance guest satisfaction and profitability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a high-volume kitchen in hospitality or food service.
• Ability to coach and develop a predominantly junior team.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and safety regulations.
• Experience with stock control, labour planning, and menu execution.
• Ability to manage food costs and minimise waste while maintaining quality.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills for cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations to ensure efficient service and high food quality.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and audit-ready standards.
• Oversee stock levels, waste minimisation, rotation, and forecasting to meet cost targets.
• Recruit, train, and motivate kitchen staff to build a capable, high-performing team.
• Ensure buffet presentation, replenishment, and service standards meet guest expectations.
• Execute centrally developed menus and provide feedback to improve guest appeal and efficiency.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team management

Food safety

High-volume ops

Cost control

Communication

Job description

Warwick Castle is seeking an experienced and hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead the hotel food and beverage kitchen operation within a dynamic, high-volume hospitality environment. Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for delivering a consistently high-quality dining experience, ensuring exceptional food standards, operational efficiency, and full compliance with food safety regulations. This role requires a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced setting and can adapt to significant seasonal fluctuations in guest volumes.

The successful candidate will combine strong operational expertise with a passion for developing people, leading and coaching a predominantly young and inexperienced kitchen team to achieve excellence. Working within centrally managed menus and procurement frameworks, you will oversee stock control, labour planning, buffet execution, and continuous improvement initiatives, while contributing creative ideas to enhance guest satisfaction and the overall food and beverage offering.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead Kitchen Operations
  Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring efficient service delivery and consistently high food quality standards.
• Maintain Food Safety & Compliance
  Ensure full compliance with all food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and company standards, maintaining audit-ready procedures at all times.
• Manage Stock & Control Costs
  Monitor stock levels, minimise waste, ensure effective stock rotation, and support food cost targets through accurate planning and forecasting.
• Develop and Manage the Kitchen Team
  Recruit, train, coach, and motivate team members, building capability and creating a positive, high-performing working environment.
• Deliver Exceptional Guest Experiences
  Ensure buffet presentation, food replenishment, and service standards consistently meet guest expectations and brand requirements.
• Support Menu Execution & Continuous Improvement
  Execute centrally developed menus to specification while providing operational feedback and creative input to improve guest appeal and service efficiency.

Key Requirements:

• Proven Kitchen Leadership Experience
  Demonstrated success as a Kitchen Manager or senior kitchen leader within a high-volume buffet, hospitality, or food service environment.
• Team Management & Development
  Strong ability to lead, coach, and develop young or inexperienced team members, creating a positive and high-performing kitchen culture.
• Food Safety & Compliance Expertise
  Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP principles, health and safety legislation, and maintaining audit-ready standards at all times.
• High-Volume Operational Management
  Experience managing fluctuating service volumes, workforce planning, stock control, and maintaining food quality during peak trading periods.
• Commercial & Cost Control Awareness
  Proven ability to manage food costs, minimise waste, control stock effectively, and support operational profitability through efficient planning.
• Strong Communication & Organisational Skills
  Ability to work collaboratively with wider hotel and F&B teams, communicate effectively at all levels, and remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment.

About Aramark

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If yourequireany accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team [e-mail]

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.