Sous Chef

Dakota Manchester Airport; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on stays & dining

Referral bonuses

Additional holiday day

Meals on duty

Job summary

Dakota Manchester Airport is seeking a creative Sous Chef with strong leadership to join our Kitchen Team, starting 18 May 2026. You will support the Head Chef, manage interviews and appraisals, and drive kitchen performance, including rotas, stock, and costed menus, across all service areas.

We value passionate, hardworking individuals who will train junior chefs, uphold HACCP and safety standards, and continually improve in a dynamic environment near the airport.

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional cooking experience in restaurant of a high calibre.
• 3+ years experience as a Junior Sous or above.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills.
• Trained and knowledgeable in food hygiene to level 2 or above, HACCP and allergens, though full training will be provided.
• Demonstrate a passion for quality food and preparation.
• Be hardworking and a team-player.
• An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
• Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
• Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in the running of the Kitchen including leading a smooth and busy service.
• Carry out managerial responsibilities including holding interviews and trial shifts, holding appraisals, and performance management.
• Support in driving the commercial performance of the kitchen by writing rotas and managing holidays, whelping to write costed menus in line with the desired GP, carrying out stock take, and places orders.
• Prepare and cook dishes according to the specification as set out by the Head Chef. This pertains to all menus including a la carte, room service, breakfast, bar food, bar snacks, events, and guest amenities.
• Be committed to working wholeheartedly as part of the team, effectively and positively communicating with all members of the kitchen and front of house team.
• Have a passion and display a willingness to train junior Chefs and apprentices in an open working environment of ongoing improvement.
• Strictly adhere to Health & Safety and Food Hygiene legislation following best practice at all times and leading the team to do so consistently. Where assigned, write HACCP’s and oversee the completion of due diligence documentation to maintain our high food audit scores.
• Display a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills as a professional Chef.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking skills

HACCP knowledge

Allergens awareness

Team training

Communication

Job description

We are seeking a creative Chef with strong leadership skills to join our Kitchen Team in the role of Sous Chef, with a planned start date of 18th May 2026.

PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting the Head Chef in the running of the Kitchen including leading a smooth and busy service.
• Carry out managerial responsibilities including holding interviews and trial shifts, holding appraisals, and performance management.
• Support in driving the commercial performance of the kitchen by writing rotas and managing holidays, whelping to write costed menus in line with the desired GP, carrying out stock take, and places orders.
• Prepare and cook dishes according to the specification as set out by the Head Chef. This pertains to all menus including a la carte, room service, breakfast, bar food, bar snacks, events, and guest amenities.
• Be committed to working wholeheartedly as part of the team, effectively and positively communicating with all members of the kitchen and front of house team.
• Have a passion and display a willingness to train junior Chefs and apprentices in an open working environment of ongoing improvement.
• Strictly adhere to Health & Safety and Food Hygiene legislation following best practice at all times and leading the team to do so consistently. Where assigned, write HACCP’s and oversee the completion of due diligence documentation to maintain our high food audit scores.
• Display a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills as a professional Chef.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will have/be:

• A minimum of 5 years professional cooking experience in restaurant of a high calibre.
• A minimum of 3 years experience as a Junior Sous or above.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills which are in line with our positive and inclusive working environment.
• Trained and knowledgeable in food hygiene to level 2 or above, HACCP and allergens, although full training will be provided.
• Demonstrate a passion for quality food and preparation.
• Be hardworking and a team-player.
• An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
• Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
• Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.

HOW TO GET HERE

Dakota Manchester Airport is at 7 Enterprise Way, Manchester, M90 4AD

• Train: About a 10 minute walk from Manchester Airport station, with frequent direct services from Manchester Piccadilly and across the North West.
• Tram: Metrolink Blue Line runs from Victoria via Central Manchster to the airport main station (approximately 10 minute walk away)
• Bus: Bee Network routes (43, 103, 130, 199, 248, 288, 313, 368) serve the airport; some stop a few minutes from the hotel, others at the main station (approximately 10 minutes walk away)
• Car: No on-site team parking; public transport is recommended.
• Cycling: Good local routes; secure bike storage available at the team entrance.

WHAT WE OFFER

FINANCIAL

• Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota
• Bonuses to recommend a friend to join our team and every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
• Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment
• Meals on duty and uniforming

WELLBEING

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions, video GP consultations and private prescription services, as well as access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
• Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
• Family-friendly flexible working options
• Participation in meaningful initiatives such as Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and the Walk for Wellbeing, Supporting causes that matter while connecting with colleagues

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment
• Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
• Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
• Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships

Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.