Senior Pizza Chef

Franco Manca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free pizzas

Pension scheme

GP access

Discounts & vouchers

Franco Academy

Staff discount

Referral bonus

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Franco Manca in Cambridge is hiring a Senior Pizza Chef to lead the kitchen, craft our sourdough pizzas with care, and support the team in delivering outstanding service.

You'll work hands-on with dough, toppings, and wood-fired ovens, while mentoring junior colleagues, maintaining high standards of hygiene, stock management, and pace during busy shifts. Join a friendly team with great discounts and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience as a pizza chef or in a professional kitchen.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Comfort working with dough and wood-fired ovens.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team and craft pizzas with care.
• Prepare and cook sourdough pizzas to perfection.
• Assist the Head Chef in maintaining high standards of food quality, hygiene, and consistency.
• Mentor junior team members and share knowledge.
• Oversee dough prep, toppings, and wood-oven firing.
• Maintain stock levels and prep for service.

Skills

Leadership

Pizza chef

Kitchen management

Mentoring

Calm under pressure

Tools

Wood-fired oven

Stock management

Job description

• £13.26 – 16.26 per hour OTE (including service charge - our data says you can earn between £1.5 to £3 per hour on top of your pay)
• Free yummy pizzas and soft drinks on every shift
• Free Sourdough bread to cook at home
• A pension scheme to set you up for the future
• 24/7 virtual GP access and confidential counselling sessions and advice on wellbeing, money, legal and personal matters.
• Cashback, online discounts and discounted shopping vouchers to help with everyday savings.
• Gym and fitness discounts, cinema tickets, family days out and exclusive hospitality perks.
• Annual social events, incentives and competitions
• 50% staff discount when dining in any Franco Manca restaurants
• Up to £500 employee referral scheme (T&C apply)
• Ongoing personal growth and development with our Franco Academy all over the UK

About Us

At Franco Manca, we don’t just make pizza – we make moments. From our slow-rising sourdough and fresh, seasonal ingredients to our wood-fired ovens, we bring the best of traditional Italian pizza-making to every pizzeria. But the secret ingredient? Our people. We’re passionate, hard-working, and always up for a laugh, creating an environment where great food and good vibes go hand in hand. If you’re ready to take your pizza-making skills to the next level and lead by example, we’d love to welcome you to the Franco family.

What You’ll Do:

• As a Senior Pizza Chef, you’ll be a leader in the kitchen, helping to craft every pizza with care while supporting your team to deliver the best service possible.
• You’ll lead by example, preparing and cooking our famous sourdough pizzas to perfection.
• Support the Head Chef in managing the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, consistency, and hygiene.
• Mentor and train junior members of the team, sharing your knowledge and expertise.
• Be hands‑on with dough preparation, topping pizzas with the freshest ingredients, and firing them in our wood ovens.
• Keep a cool head during busy shifts, ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Take responsibility for stock management and food prep, ensuring everything is ready for service.

What You’ll Bring:

• We’re looking for someone with experience, passion, and leadership qualities to help take our kitchen to the next level.
• You’ll have experience as a Pizza chef or in a professional kitchen environment.
• Be confident in handling fresh dough and working with a wood‑fired oven.
• Have strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and support your team.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment, keeping calm and focused under pressure.
• Be passionate about food and committed to delivering the best pizza every time.
• Have a positive attitude, a team‑first mentality, and the ambition to grow your career.

Franco Manca is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our people. We welcome applications from everyone and recruit based on skills, experience, and potential. If you need any adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to support you.