Kitchen Team Lead — Fast-Paced Kitchen Leadership

Kitchen - Urban Playground Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Kitchen - Urban Playground Manchester is seeking a Kitchen Team Leader who will work directly under the Head Chef to support daily operations, maintain high standards of food quality, safety, cleanliness and efficiency while providing hands-on leadership. You will coordinate the kitchen team during service, train staff, monitor standards, and ensure all procedures are followed.

This role is a supporting management position within a busy, high-volume kitchen.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a professional kitchen.
• Previous experience supervising or supporting a kitchen team.
• Good understanding of food safety and hygiene.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead by example and motivate others.
• Good understanding of food quality, stock rotation and portion control.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Follow instructions and operational direction provided by the Head Chef.
• Assist with implementing menus, recipes, procedures and kitchen standards.
• Communicate operational issues, staffing concerns and kitchen performance to the Head Chef.
• Assist with training, development and performance management of kitchen team members.
• Help implement improvements to kitchen operations and working practices.
• Lead the kitchen team during allocated shifts or when delegated by the Head Chef.
• Lead and motivate kitchen team members during service.
• Allocate daily tasks and ensure all sections are adequately covered.
• Ensure team members follow correct preparation and cooking procedures.
• Support new starters with training and development.
• Monitor team performance and address minor operational issues.
• Maintain a positive, professional and productive working environment.
• Oversee food preparation and service standards.
• Ensure all dishes meet Urban Playground’s recipes, portion sizes and presentation standards.
• Maintain efficient service during busy periods and large group bookings.
• Ensure preparation is completed in line with expected bookings and trading levels.
• Monitor food quality and presentation before dishes leave the kitchen.
• Ensure effective communication between kitchen sections and the pass.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and kitchen cleanliness.
• Ensure food is labelled, dated, stored and rotated correctly.
• Complete relevant food safety and temperature records.
• Ensure allergen procedures are followed at all times.
• Monitor cleaning schedules and ensure they are completed.
• Challenge poor hygiene and unsafe working practices.
• Support the Head Chef with stock management and ordering.
• Monitor stock levels and rotation.
• Maintain portion control and minimise food waste.
• Ensure deliveries are checked and stored correctly.
• Report stock shortages, wastage and discrepancies to the Head Chef.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

High-volume kitchen

Team supervision

Communication

Organisation

Job description

Kitchen - Urban Playground Manchester is seeking a Kitchen Team Leader who will work directly under the Head Chef to support daily operations, maintain high standards of food quality, safety, cleanliness and efficiency while providing hands-on leadership. You will coordinate the kitchen team during service, train staff, monitor standards, and ensure all procedures are followed.

This role is a supporting management position within a busy, high-volume kitchen.