Kitchen Manager | SEC

The Kitchen Manager oversees all kitchen operations at a large venue, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and efficiency. The role supports the unit's operation through managed Food Cost of Sales, sundries, and controllables service development, and assists the culinary team with ordering, processing, stock control, and invoices. The Kitchen Manager allocates budgets and resources based on event budgets, completes safety audits, and ensures Food Safety and Health and Safety requirements are met.

• Oversee all kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and service, to maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and efficiency in a large venue.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to create and update menus, develop new dishes and recipes, and keep food specification logs updated.
• Supervise and participate in food preparation, monitor portion sizes and presentation, and ensure all food is prepared and served according to established recipes and standards.
• Manage inventory levels, place orders for ingredients and supplies, and minimise waste through effective inventory management and portion control.
• Monitor food costs and wastage, control food, labour, and other expenses, analyse financial reports, and work with the Executive Chef and management to develop and manage kitchen budgets, allocate budgets and resources for each event, and meet budgetary targets.
• Manage relationships with food suppliers and vendors, negotiating terms, monitoring quality, and exploring cost-effective sourcing options.
• Support the Executive Chef to recruit, onboard, train, and supervise kitchen staff, including chefs, kitchen porters, and kitchen assistants, and schedule and assign tasks.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, food safety, sanitation, and hygiene regulations, implement cleaning schedules, and conduct regular kitchen inspections.
• Communicate with front-of-house staff, management, and vendors, foster a collaborative kitchen environment, and act as liaison between the kitchen and other departments.
• Ensure completion of company due diligence and legal requirements for food safety, cleanliness, and allergen management
• Support compliance training and development
• Support the Facilities and Maintenance Manager in maintaining equipment and structure
• Complete safety audits
• And line manage the culinary admin and kitchen porter teams.

• Food Safety Certification.
• Proven knowledge of health and safety regulations and standards.
• Minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Extensive experience in menu planning, recipe development, and food preparation.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, including inventory management, ordering, and cost control.
• Experience in managing a diverse team of kitchen staff and fostering a positive work environment.
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, lead, and inspire a team.
• Strong culinary skills and creativity in menu development and presentation.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with staff, management, and vendors.
• Organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues, especially in challenging or crisis situations.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of food quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Proficiency in kitchen equipment operation and maintenance.
• Creative thinking and the ability to generate innovative ideas.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced work environment and respond to changing priorities.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent certification in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, or a related field.

• Large venue

• Bonus

• Healthcare and wellbeing support, including Aviva Digicare and Medicash (dental, optical, and therapy treatments).
• 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Meals on duty.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, 2 days' additional leave after returning from maternity leave, a day off for your baby's first birthday, and enhanced family leave.
• Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health, and 10% off PureGym memberships.
• Pension scheme and preferred rates on salary finance products.
• Professional subscriptions, ongoing training, and structured career pathways.
• Full company benefits.