Kitchen Manager/Head Chef

Leisure Employment Services; Mythop; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% off on-park dining

Haven Holidays discounts

Facility access

Job summary

Haven is seeking a Kitchen Team Manager to lead a busy kitchen, delivering top-quality meals and service. You will be hands-on, coach staff, manage budgets and resources, and uphold health and safety standards across the team.

You will motivate a large kitchen team, drive guest satisfaction, and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required. Level 3 Food Hygiene is desirable; strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large kitchen teams in roles such as Kitchen Manager or Head Chef.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support the team to deliver excellent service and achieve targets.
• Ensure top-tier guest satisfaction by addressing concerns and driving a welcoming atmosphere.
• Monitor performance, provide feedback, and conduct reviews.
• Oversee scheduling, budgets, and resources for efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and company policies.
• Train and develop the team to create growth opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Budgeting

Multitasking

Team development

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Job description

Position: Kitchen Team Manager Type: Full-Time / Permanent Bonus: Up to 10% Annual Bonus

Join our One Great Team here at Haven as a Kitchen Team Manager! Lead with passion and skill to create unforgettable dining experiences for our guests, ensuring top-quality service and exceptional meals. 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'll be 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.

Requirements

• 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.

What We Offer

• An inclusive, supportive work environment.
• Comprehensive training and ongoing support.
• Career development opportunities, including fully funded qualifications.
• Exclusive team perks, including up to 50% off on‑park dining, 20% discounts on Haven Holidays and in‑store purchases, free access to our facilities, savings at national brands and retailers, and so much more!

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in joining Haven! We’re always looking to hire the most talented people we can, and we’re excited that you’re exploring opportunities with us. Take a moment to browse our current open positions—when you find roles that align with your interests and experience, feel free to apply. You’ll be able to track your progress throughout the selection process and receive alerts about new opportunities that might be a great fit. Thanks again for considering a future with our team. We’re glad you’re here!

At Haven, we believe a career should be more than just a job — it should be something you love. As the UK’s leading holiday operator, we’re proud to offer exciting job opportunities. With over 9,000 amazing team members, 39 stunning seaside locations, and a vibrant support centre in Hemel Hempstead, we’re all about creating unforgettable experiences — not just for our guests and holiday homeowners, but for our team too. From the coasts of Scotland to the shores of Cornwall, Norfolk to Wales, our parks are set in some of the UK’s most breath‑taking spots, where memories are made every single day. We’re passionate about what we do and have a lot of fun doing it — all thanks to our welcoming Breath of Fresh Air culture. If you’re thinking about joining us, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you. Here’s to the start of something special at Haven!