Kitchen Manager - Rugby

Equipment Sales & Service Limited.; Kilsby; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Rugby School is seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead the catering operation within a boarding house. You will work closely with pupils, house staff and your team to deliver great food and service every day, influencing menus and dining experiences in a dynamic boarding environment.

You will have overall responsibility for daily operations, food quality, safety compliance and financial performance, with opportunities to develop your team and menus across breakfast to supper and events.

Qualifications

• Experience as Kitchen Manager or similar leadership role in catering.
• Proven experience leading teams in busy catering environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management and HACCP.
• Experience managing budgets, stock and labour costs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day running of a boarding house catering operation, ensuring high standards.
• Lead menu development and dining experiences for pupils and staff.
• Manage budgets, stock control and labour costs effectively.
• Develop and support kitchen team to deliver consistent quality.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and DBS safeguarding requirements.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team development

Food safety & HACCP

Budget & cost control

Stock management

Organisational skills

Education

Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

With 14 boarding houses, Rugby School is unlike most catering operations. Each house has its own kitchen, dining room and close-knit community, creating a unique home-from-home environment for around 45 to 55 pupils. As Kitchen Manager, you'll lead the catering operation within one boarding house, building strong relationships with pupils, house staff and your team while delivering great food and service every day. You'll have the opportunity to influence menus, develop your team and create a dining experience that becomes an important part of daily boarding life. This is a role where you can genuinely influence both food quality and customer experience, making a real difference to the boarding community you support. From breakfast through to supper, hospitality events and holiday catering for visiting groups, no two days are the same. This is a varied leadership role that combines culinary excellence, people management and operational responsibility within one of the UK's most prestigious boarding schools.

As Kitchen Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of a boarding house catering operation, ensuring high standards of food quality, service, compliance and financial performance.

• Experience as a Kitchen Manager, Catering Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef or similar leadership role
• Experience leading teams within a busy catering environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management and HACCP procedures
• Food Hygiene qualification
• Experience managing budgets, stock control and labour costs
• Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills

You'll Also Be

• Passionate about food and hospitality
• A natural leader who develops and supports others
• Customer-focused and approachable
• Commercially aware and organised
• Committed to continuous improvement

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Check, including Children's Barred List clearance.

If you're an experienced catering leader looking for a role that offers responsibility, creativity, career development and a genuine opportunity to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.