Kitchen Manager - Rugby School

Lodestone House; Rugby; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning

Digital GP and wider healthcare

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema tickets discount

Cash rewards on spend

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Discounts for friends and family

Weekend/evening shift pattern

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead a small team and deliver freshly prepared meals for boarding students. You will manage menus, production planning, purchasing, and stock controls to ensure quality and budget adherence.

The role involves overseeing kitchen cleanliness, policy implementation, and collaboration with senior management. Term-time flexibility and a focus on leadership and development are valued.

Qualifications

• Excellent culinary skills with experience in a similar role.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Business management experience within a kitchen environment.
• Passion for delivering high-quality food and service.

Responsibilities

• Manage house menu, production planning, and purchasing within budget.
• Oversee cleanliness and housekeeping of all kitchen areas and health/safety standards.
• Implement new policies to enhance efficiency.
• Provide up-to-date reports on progress to senior management.
• Communicate effectively with senior management and support leadership.
• Manage stock to minimise waste and meet budget targets.
• Lead the kitchen team and develop staff with a succession plan.
• Conduct performance reviews and set objectives for team members.
• Ensure operational excellence through effective communication and performance management.
• Train and develop kitchen staff with a focus on progression.
• Liaise with House Master and Matron; attend food committee meetings and act on feedback.
• Maintain health and safety standards and PPE compliance.

Skills

Excellent culinary skills

Strong communication

Leadership abilities

Passionate about food

Education

NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery

Intermediate food hygiene Level 2

Job description

Benefits

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

Benefits

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 7am-7:30pm would be required. over time 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 programs (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/1809/76407001/52823513/R/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!