Sous Chef

John Lewis plc; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals whilst on duty

Chef whites provided

Job summary

John Lewis plc, Waitrose Hospitality & Food Service, is hiring a Sous Chef to lead a kitchen team at Bracknell West Warehouse. You will manage day-to-day food production, ensure menus meet quality and cost targets, and drive compliance and safety.

In this permanent role, you will work Sunday to Thursday 19:30–03:00, with night premiums for late hours. You’ll develop recipes, coach junior staff, and maintain records to support management information and HACCP standards.

Qualifications

• GCSEs or equivalent required.
• Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or equivalent.
• Recognised food production qualification (City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Cookery 1-3).
• Operational kitchen experience in medium/large kitchens with supervisory duties.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily food preparation to maintain top quality within budget.
• Manage and coach kitchen team and collaborate with chefs at all levels.
• Ensure accurate administration of food prep records for management reporting and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Menu development

Education

GCSEs / A Levels

Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2

City & Guilds 7061/7062 NVQ Cookery 1-3

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Waitrose Hospitality & Food Service team as a Sous Chef. As a Sous Chef you will lead the team, who you task manage, to support the Hospitality & Food Service team in the delivery of the highest possible operational standards. You will be an exemplary operator, ensuring menus are delivered to the highest possible standard, on time and within cost parameters, including compliance and risk management. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements. Salary - £31,200 - £42,500 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract. Location - This role is based at our Bracknell West Warehouse Working pattern: This role will be Sunday - Thursday 19:30 - 3:00

Key responsibilities

• Customer / Financial/ Commercial
• Producing food to the highest standards and quality within budgetary requirements
• Leading the daily food preparation process, ensuring the highest standards are maintained
• Working closely with other Chefs of all levels
• Ensure the administration of food preparation is accurately recorded to management information and food safety requirements
• Making creative contributions to menu and proposition development
• Partner Act as an exemplar operator leading and coaching those around you to success
• Establish and build effective relationships with stakeholders, gaining customer feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Deliver and promote healthy and balanced food information so Partners act as ambassadors
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure full compliance with JLP Catering policies and legislation
• Ensure full compliance with Health and Safety Regulations
• Carry out due diligence tasks and keep accurate due diligence checks and records

Benefits of the Role

• Free meals whilst on duty
• Chef whites provided

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Good basic education - GCSE’s - A Levels or Vocational equivalents
• Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2
• Recognised Food Production Certificate. City & Guilds 706 1 & 2, NVQ Professional Cookery 1-3 or equivalent
• Operational experience in medium/large industrial kitchens, canteens or hospitality at a supervisory level

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Working towards Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate - Level 3
• Previous experience in a Senior Chef Role in a similar venue.

Closing Date

Closing Date: November 16, 2026 Pay: £31,200.00 - £42,500.00 Annual Contract Type: Permanent Hours of Work: Sun- Thurs 19:30 - 03:00 Job Level: Partnership Level 9 Where You'll Be Working: Bracknell Campus, Doncastle Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. At the John Lewis Partnership we’re not just employees; we’re co-owners, and that’s why we’re called Partners. Being a Partner means not only do we all collectively share the responsibilities of being the UK’s largest employee-owned business, but we also share in its rewards and successes. It’s this ownership model that makes the Partnership a very unique place to work.