Kitchen Manager / Head Chef

Hungry Horse - Bra_104; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Discounts on food and drink

Greene King Inns discount

Wellbeing support

Family-friendly benefits

Recognition: Refer a friend

Wagestream pay access

Retail discounts

Job summary

Greene King’s The Halcyon pub is seeking a Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, drive teams, and ensure consistently high quality. You will lead, train and motivate staff, manage rotas, stock, deliveries and waste while maintaining food safety standards in a busy pub environment.

Join a friendly, hands-on team and help deliver great menus and high standards. This role offers opportunities for development within Greene King’s pub estate.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy pub/restaurant kitchen.
• Ability to lead from the front and support the team.
• Strong stock control, ordering and rota planning knowledge.
• Solid understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the kitchen team to deliver consistent quality.
• Plan shifts and rota coverage.
• Manage stock, orders and deliveries to minimise waste.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and cleanliness.
• Ensure operational efficiency and cost control.
• Collaborate with the pub team to deliver great service.

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Stock control

Rota planning

Food safety

Team motivation

Job description

What's the opportunity?

The Halcyon is a lively Hungry Horse pub, serving generous portions of great-value pub favourites. From stacked burgers and our classic Chicken New Yorker to tasty wings, sharers and a menu full of family favourites, there's something for everyone.

With live sport on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, a welcoming atmosphere and a beer garden for sunnier days, we're a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

As Kitchen Manager / Head Chef, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of our kitchen, ensuring the team is organised, the food is consistently great and the operation runs efficiently.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading your team: Support, motivate and organise the kitchen team, setting a positive example and helping colleagues develop their skills.
• Managing rotas: Plan shifts effectively to ensure the kitchen is covered and ready for service.
• Taking control of stock: Manage ordering, stock levels and deliveries to ensure the kitchen has what it needs while minimising waste.
• Delivering great food: Maintain quality, consistency and presentation across our Hungry Horse menu.
• Keeping things running smoothly: Organise preparation and service, making the most of our kitchen space and resources.
• Maintaining high standards: Ensure food safety, allergen procedures and kitchen cleanliness are always a priority.
• Working commercially: Keep an eye on costs, waste and kitchen performance to support the success of the pub.

Qualifications

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone with previous kitchen management experience, or a strong background in a senior kitchen role, who understands what it takes to run a kitchen successfully.

You'll bring

• Experience working in a busy pub, restaurant or similar kitchen environment.
• The confidence to lead from the front and support a team.
• Good knowledge of stock control, ordering and rota planning.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to plan ahead.
• A passion for great food and maintaining consistent standards.
• An understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance.
• A positive, hands-on approach and the ability to work well with others.

You’ll be joining a small kitchen with a good team already in place, so we’re looking for someone who can build on those foundations, provide clear direction and create an environment where everyone can do their best work.

Additional Information

What's in it for you?

At Greene King, we believe in rewarding our teams and helping them build careers they can be proud of.

• Career development: Training, apprenticeships and opportunities to progress across Greene King.
• Discounts: 33% off food and drink in our pubs, plus 15% off for friends and family.
• Greene King Inns: 50% off stays and 25% off for friends and family.
• Wellbeing support: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family-friendly benefits: Enhanced policies to support you through life's important moments.
• Recognition: Recommend a friend and earn up to £1,500.
• Financial wellbeing: Access to Wagestream to help manage your pay.
• Extra savings: Retail discounts, including Superdrug and Three Mobile.

Greene King is one of the UK's leading pub companies and brewers, with over 220 years of history and a team of around 39,000 people. We're passionate about pouring happiness into lives and becoming the pride of great British hospitality.

Ready to take the lead?

If you're an organised, hands-on kitchen leader who knows how to manage stock, plan rotas and bring a team together, The Halcyon could be the perfect next step.

Bring your experience. Support your team. Make The Halcyon yours.