Kitchen Manager - Rugby School

Chartwells; Rugby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A catering service provider in Rugby seeks a Kitchen Manager to oversee a small team, manage meal services for boarding students, and ensure high standards of food preparation and kitchen cleanliness. The ideal candidate will possess strong culinary and leadership skills, with a focus on delivering excellence. This role offers competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for career progression. Shift pattern includes alternating shifts with weekends required.

Benefits

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards for spending

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role is required.
• Ability to engage and motivate others.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage house menu and food production planning.
• Oversee cleanliness of kitchen areas.
• Implement new policies to enhance efficiency.
• Train and develop kitchen staff.

Skills

Excellent culinary skills

Strong communication

Leadership skills

Business management experience

Passion for food

Education

NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent

Intermediate food hygiene/Level 2 certification

Job description

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals on duty
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
• Working 5 out of 7 days, weekends and evenings

Role Overview

As Kitchen Manager, you would lead a small team consisting of 1 Sous Chef (Assistant Kitchen Manager) and 5 Catering Assistants. Together, your team would provide freshly prepared meals for approximately 60 boarding students, including breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks. We pride ourselves on fresh, from‑scratch cooking.

You will be responsible for the overall management of the boarding house menu, food production planning, food purchasing, and stock controls.

You will contribute to menu development, ensure the cleanliness and general housekeeping of the kitchen, and implement new policies and procedures as required.

Shift Pattern Overview

• 5 days over 7, with shifts alternating between 7:00 AM‑3:00 PM and 11:30 AM‑7:30 PM.
• Two days each week will require you to provide all meal services (breakfast, lunch, and supper) when the Sous Chef is off, so a split shift – 7‑2/5:30‑7:30 or full day 7 am‑7:30 pm – would be required. Overtime will be paid in money or in lieu.
• Typical days off will be Friday and Saturday or Sunday and Monday, with every third weekend off.

Outside of Term Time: The School is contracted to private lettings and international student programmes (e.g., Easter and summer schools), you’ll join a larger catering team. No split shifts are required during these periods.

However, we can accommodate a term‑time only contract for you should you prefer.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage house menu, food production planning, and purchasing within budgetary constraints.
• Oversee cleanliness and general housekeeping of all kitchen areas, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
• Implement new policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
• Provide up‑to‑date reports on progress to senior management.
• Communicate effectively with the senior management team and support their leadership.
• Manage stock effectively to minimise waste and maintain budgetary targets.
• Take leadership of the kitchen team, focusing on development and progression.
• Conduct performance reviews and set objectives for team members.
• Ensure operational excellence through effective communication and performance management.
• Train, and develop kitchen staff, ensuring a succession plan is in place.
• Liaise with the House Master and Matron, attending food committee meetings and acting upon feedback.
• Maintain health and safety standards, including adherence to food safety regulations and checks.
• Ensure compliance with company policies regarding uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Person Specification

• Excellent culinary skills with experience in a similar role.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, able to engage and motivate others.
• Business management experience within a kitchen environment.
• Passionate about food and delivering excellence.
• NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent (desirable).
• Intermediate food hygiene/Level 2 certification (desirable).

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/0801/76405001/52782911/SU #Lodestone House

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!