sous s o u s chef c h e f

Wagamama; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Biweekly pay with tips

Staff meals on shift

Friends & family discount

Wagestream early access

Parental leave: 26 weeks full pay, 13

Discounts at TRG brands

Job summary

wagamama is seeking a sous chef to support shifts and the kitchen team, ensuring every bowl is made to order and of high quality. You will lead with pride, coach the team, and continuously improve operations with a Kaizen mindset.

You will collaborate with management to run a high‑performing kitchen while maintaining food safety standards, monitoring costs and supporting staff growth. The role is based in the kitchen, with opportunities to influence every dish that reaches the guest.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team and shifts.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with management to run a vibrant, high‑performing kitchen.
• Lead the kitchen with pride to ensure dishes are fresh, bold and full of flavour.
• Support and develop the team, ensuring individuals feel seen and valued.
• Nurture staff growth, focusing on training while meeting targets.
• Adopt a Kaizen mindset to identify and implement small improvements.
• Manage line, plan shifts to ensure proper coverage and coaching on the go.
• Support food safety, health and safety standards and monitor gross profit, stock and labour costs.

Skills

Line management

Shift planning

Team coaching

Food safety

Gross profit awareness

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