Kitchen Manager

Aramark UK; Watford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Annual leave

Employee benefits platform

Online GP access

24/7 Employee Assistance

Mental Health Champions

Free meal on duty

Gym membership

Job summary

Aramark UK operates the Boiler House Restaurant, opening mid-January 2026, and seeks an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead back-of-house, ensuring food quality, safety and financial performance while building a high-performing team.

The role reports to the Restaurant Manager and focuses on menu execution, cost control, and continuous improvement to establish Boiler House as a destination dining venue.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef.
• Strong understanding of restaurant kitchen operations.
• Proven leadership with team development.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and health & safety.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Experience managing food costs, labour budgets and stock control processes.
• Hands-on leadership with a passion for food quality and operational excellence.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends and peak trading periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Recruit, train and motivate the kitchen team.
• Manage food and labour costs against targets.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards and safety.
• Oversee stock control and supplier relationships.
• Drive waste reduction and efficient production.
• Keep a clean, safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with Restaurant Manager on objectives.
• Support menu development and improvements.
• Ensure allergen and health & safety compliance.

Skills

Kitchen management

Food safety

Leadership

Cost control

Stock control

Menu development

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead the kitchen operation at the Boiler House Restaurant, opening in mid-January 2026.

We are looking for a passionate, driven and highly organised culinary leader to oversee all back-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, food safety compliance and financial performance. Working closely with the Restaurant Manager, you will play a key role in building and developing a high-performing kitchen team and establishing the Boiler House Restaurant as a destination dining venue.

As Kitchen Manager, you will take full responsibility for the management of the kitchen operation, including food production, team leadership, food safety, stock management, financial controls and menu execution. You will lead from the front, creating a culture of excellence, teamwork and continuous improvement.

If you are an experienced Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef ready for your next challenge and excited by the opportunity to launch a brand-new restaurant, we would love to hear from you.

What's in It for You?

• Salary: £40,500 per annum (dependent on experience).
• 45 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7.
• Pension scheme and life assurance.
• Generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service, plus the option to purchase additional holiday.
• Employee benefits platform with online GP access and discounts across hundreds of retailers.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to Mental Health Champions.
• Free meal whilst on duty.
• Free gym membership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Deliver consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Recruit, train, develop and motivate a high-performing kitchen team.
• Manage food cost, labour cost and kitchen operating expenses against agreed targets.
• Ensure all food is prepared and served in line with brand specifications and company standards.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, inventory management and supplier relationships.
• Drive waste reduction initiatives and maintain efficient production processes.
• Ensure all food safety, allergen and health and safety requirements are met at all times.
• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager to deliver operational and financial objectives.
• Support menu development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment throughout the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations within a restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and health and safety regulations.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Experience managing food costs, labour budgets and stock control processes.
• A hands-on leadership style with a passion for food quality and operational excellence.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting a new restaurant opening would be advantageous.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends and peak trading periods.

Additional Information

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 are an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, cadet forces adult volunteers, reservists and military families.

For roles requiring security clearance, any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of the required level of security clearance. Applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and residency requirements applicable to that level of clearance.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. Where relevant to the role, safer recruitment checks will apply, including references and an enhanced DBS check in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any adjustments 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.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.