sous chef

wagamama; Poole; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to £1,000

Biweekly pay and tips share

50% off for friends and family

Free meals on shift

Earned wage access via Wagestream

26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half‑t0

30% off at other TRG brands (brunning&

Pension scheme

Holiday

Training

Cycle to work scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Discounted gym memberships

Long service awards

Job summary

wagamama in Poole is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef to lead shifts and support the kitchen team in delivering fresh, bold dishes. You’ll ensure high standards, coach the team, and embody a kaizen mindset to improve every service.

You’ll manage line execution, plan staffing, and work closely with the management team to maintain profitability while nurturing growth and pride across the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Experience managing the line and planning shifts to ensure proper cover and coaching.
• Experience enforcing food safety standards and understanding kitchen cost drivers.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the management team to run a vibrant, high-performing kitchen.
• Lead the kitchen with pride, ensuring every dish is fresh, bold and full of flavour.
• Support and develop the team, fostering growth and recognition.
• Encourage aKaizen mindset, spotting small improvements and making them happen.

Skills

Team leadership

Shift planning

Food safety standards

Cost control

Coaching

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. no microwaves, no shortcuts, just big energy and bigger flavours. as a 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
• leading the kitchen with pride, making sure every dish is fresh, bold and full of flavour
• 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, focusing on training and developing others to help them be the best they can be and maintaining high standards
• are experienced in managing the line, planning shifts to make sure we have the right cover and love working with the team, coaching on the go
• have experience in supporting with your kitchen's food, health and safety standards, understanding financial performance of a kitchen including gross profit, stock control and labour costs 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 + individuality
• up to £1,000 annual bonus
• 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 and 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