Sous Chef

Mercure Milton Keynes; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded apprenticeships

Discounts on hotel stays and major-ret

Gym, pools and leisure facilities

Wellbeing, financial and legal support

Job summary

Kew Green Hotels is seeking a driven Sous Chef to support a high-quality, efficient kitchen at Mercure Milton Keynes. You will lead the team, maintain standards and ensure every dish enhances guest experience.

Reporting to the Head Chef, you will help plan menus, drive quality and control costs while delivering great hospitality. A strong leadership mindset and hands-on approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Solid understanding of produce and ingredients, and ability to influence profit margins.
• Good understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and compliance standards.
• Strong leadership potential with ability to coach, motivate and influence others.
• Proactive, hands-on approach and willingness to step up when needed.
• Commercial awareness with cost control and waste reduction.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Positive, can-do attitude and desire to progress your career.

Responsibilities

• Step into a leadership role in the absence of the Head Chef.
• Work with Head Chef on menu planning and implementation to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Ensure all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and meets food safety requirements.
• Train and coach the team, developing skills and creating a range of specials.
• Monitor portion and waste control as well as labour productivity to maintain profit margins.
• Support stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste and support profitability.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Contribute ideas to improve kitchen performance and guest experience.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Cost control

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Pressure management

Job description

We’re looking for a driven and ambitious Sous Chef to support the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and profitable kitchen operation.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you’ll play a key role in leading the team, maintaining standards and ensuring every dish contributes to a great guest experience.

About the Role

You’ll support the day-to-day leadership of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety and team performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Stepping into a leadership role in the absence of the Head Chef.
• Working alongside the Head Chef on menu planning and implementation to drive quality and guest appeal.
• Ensuring all food is prepared, presented and served to brand standards and meets food safety requirements.
• Training and coaching your team, developing their skills and supporting them to successfully create a range of specials.
• Monitoring portion and waste control in addition to labour productivity to maintain profit margins.
• Supporting stocktakes, ordering and stock control to minimise waste and support profitability.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation and compliance across the kitchen.
• Contributing ideas and feedback to improve kitchen performance and guest experience.

About You

You’re an aspiring kitchen leader with a passion for food, people and performance. You’re ready to take on more responsibility and develop your leadership capability.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Experience at Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie level in a fast-paced kitchen.
• A solid understanding of produce and ingredients, and the ability to influence profit margins.
• A good understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and compliance standards.
• Strong leadership potential, with the ability to coach, motivate and influence others.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and willingness to step up when needed.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of cost control and waste reduction.
• The ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A positive, can‑do attitude and a desire to progress your career.

What’s in it for you

• Career development through fully funded apprenticeships and our internal development programme.
• Discounts on hotel stays and a variety of major retailers, restaurants and days out.
• Free use of our gyms, pools, and leisure facilities.
• 24/7 access to wellbeing, financial, and legal support.

At Kew Green Hotels, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know at [e-mail] - we’re here to support you.

Who are Kew Green Hotels?

Kew Green Hotels is one of the UK’s leading hotel management companies, operating a diverse portfolio of global brands. We’re a people-driven business that’s passionate about performance, guest experience, and creating hotels and teams that make us proud.

Learn more about who we are and what drives us at www.kewgreenhotels.com.