Kitchen Manager - Dorset

Haven Holidays; Beaminster; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Haven Holidays is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead a dynamic kitchen team and deliver exceptional dining experiences. You will manage budgets, resources, and performance while upholding safety and brand standards in a hands-on role.

The position requires strong leadership, communication, and a proactive approach to training and development, with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large kitchen teams in roles such as Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or as an experienced Sous Chef.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification desirable.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Strong organisational and multitasking skills.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support the kitchen team to deliver excellent service and achieve targets.
• Ensure top-tier guest satisfaction by addressing concerns, improving service, and driving a welcoming atmosphere.
• Monitor individual and team performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and conducting performance reviews.
• Oversee team scheduling, budgets, and resources to maximise efficiency and meet business needs.
• Ensure all operations comply with health and safety regulations, company policies, and standards.
• Quickly resolve any operational issues that arise, ensuring smooth day-to-day running.
• Support team development through ongoing training, mentoring, and creating growth opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Customer service

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Multitasking

Budgeting

Health & safety knowledge

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Tools

Budgeting tools

Job description

As the Kitchen Manager, you'll be at the heart of an energetic kitchen team, leading with clear direction and plenty of motivation. You'll inspire your team to hit their goals and keep up high standards by showing them how it's done! You're hands‑on with cooking and performance, offering feedback to help your team grow, tackling any challenges, and supporting their development. Managing resources like budgets and tools will be key to keeping things running smoothly. You'll also be the driving force behind fantastic dining experiences, continuously improving how we interact and solving any issues that pop up. Plus, you'll make sure everything stays safe, compliant, and on point with company policies and brand standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Lead, motivate, and support the team to deliver excellent service and achieve targets.
• Guest Experience: Ensure top‑tier guest satisfaction by addressing concerns, improving service, and driving a welcoming atmosphere.
• Performance Management: Monitor individual and team performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and conducting performance reviews.
• Resource Management: Oversee team scheduling, budgets, and resources to maximise efficiency and meet business needs.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure all operations comply with health and safety regulations, company policies, and standards.
• Problem Solving: Quickly resolve any operational issues that arise, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day running.
• Training and Development: Support team development through ongoing training, mentoring, and creating growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large kitchen teams in roles such as Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or as an experienced Sous Chef.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification desirable.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service and problem‑solving abilities.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Strong organisational and multitasking skills.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.