sous chef

Wagamama; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Biweekly pay & tips

Family & friends discount 50%

Free meals on shift

Wagestream early access

Parental leave pay: 26 weeks full / 13

weeks half pay

Discounts at TRG brands

Pension

Holiday

Training

Cycle to work

Gym discounts

Long service awards

Job summary

wagamama in Cardiff is seeking a junior sous chef to support leading the shifts and kitchen team, ensuring dishes are prepared to order with consistency and pride. You will help maintain high standards of food quality and smooth operation during busy periods.

You will coach and develop the team, plan shifts for proper coverage, and contribute to cost control through gross profit awareness, stock management and efficient labour use.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team and managing shifts.
• Understanding of health and safety standards in a kitchen.
• Knowledge of gross profit, stock control and labour cost.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the management team to run a vibrant, high‑performing kitchen.
• Ensure food quality and maintain strong kitchen vibes during service.
• Support and coach the team to feel seen and proud of their work.
• Nurture team growth beyond hitting targets and KPIs.
• Apply a Kaizen mindset to spot small improvements and implement them.

Skills

Lead kitchen shifts

Team coaching

Shift planning

Kaizen mindset

Job description

at wagamama, food is life. our kitchens are all about fresh food, prioritising good ingredients and serving dishes that are made to order every time. as a junior sous chef, you'll support leading the shifts, and the kitchen team while making sure every bowl is something to be proud of what you'll be doing

• working closely with the rest of the management team to run a vibrant and high-performing kitchen
• making sure food quality and kitchen vibes stay sky-high
• helping your team feel seen, supported, and proud of what they do
• nurturing your team to grow, not just hit targets
• thinking with a kaizen mindset - constantly spotting the little ways we can do things better, then making them happen

you'll love this role if you...

• are passionate about supporting your team and helping others be the best they can be and maintaining high standards
• are ready to manage the line, planning shifts to make sure we have the right cover, and love working with the team and coaching on the go
• understand your kitchen's food, health and safety standards, with comprehension of the financial performance of a kitchen including gross profit, stock control and labour cost love to celebrate success with your team, recognising what drives individuals and their needs

what you'll get

• a culture that backs your growth, wellbeing and individuality
• biweekly pay and a share of tips
• 50% off for friends and family
• free meals on shift
• early access to earned pay with wagestream
• 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay for new parents
• 30% off at other TRG brands (brunning & price pubs, barburrito + more)
• in addition to this, we offer the usual benefits such as pension scheme, holiday, training, cycle to work scheme, retail and leisure discounts, discounted gym memberships and long service awards