Lead Kitchen Manager – Boarding Dining (Fresh, From-Scratch)

Chartwells Independent; Rugby; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension

Career pathways

Digital GP and healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Shopping discounts

Cinema tickets

Cash rewards

Wellness programmes

Discount sharing with family

5 of 7 shifts

Job summary

Chartwells Independent is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead a small kitchen team at a boarding school, preparing meals for around 60 students with fresh, from-scratch cooking.

You will manage menu planning, food purchasing, stock control and ensure health and safety standards are met, while developing staff and implementing policies to drive efficiency.

The role requires overseeing operations, staff development, and adherence to company policies within a busy boarding school kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• 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.
• NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent (desirable).
• Intermediate food hygiene/Level 2 certification (desirable).

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.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Communication

Business management

Education

NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery

Job description

Chartwells Independent is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead a small kitchen team at a boarding school, preparing meals for around 60 students with fresh, from-scratch cooking.

You will manage menu planning, food purchasing, stock control and ensure health and safety standards are met, while developing staff and implementing policies to drive efficiency.

The role requires overseeing operations, staff development, and adherence to company policies within a busy boarding school kitchen environment.