Junior Sous Chef

We are a family-run UK business operating food and beverage outlets at airports, creating exceptional experiences for all our customers. We believe airport customers deserve better - we ARE here to delight. We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic individual to join our team as Junior Sous Chef at Manchester Airport, leading our outlets to deliver exceptional food and outstanding customer service with a highly trained and motivated team.

As Junior Sous Chef, you will play a vital role in supporting the Sous Chef’s, supporting the kitchen’s day-to-day performance while maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and efficiency. The Great Northern Market concept at Manchester Airport includes managing a kitchen brigade with six kitchens, offering a diverse range of cuisines such as fried chicken, smashed burgers, burritos, hand stretched pizza, Asian, Greek, and a breakfast menu. The venue has approximately 470 covers and operates from 3am to 10pm. This is an hourly paid role, and shifts may include early morning starts (e.g., 2 a.m.) or late finishes (e.g., the last flight), with no requirement for split or double shifts.

If you're passionate about hospitality, enjoy working in large teams, and want to develop your kitchen management experience, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

As part of the junior management team, you’ll be responsible for managing certain aspects of the kitchen, including stock control, food preparation, and ensuring compliance with hygiene, health and safety, and allergen protocols. You’ll work collaboratively with the front of house team to deliver exceptional dishes for every guest and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently and profitably.

Main Duties

• Oversee the team to continuously improve service while adhering to health and safety, food hygiene, food allergens and company specifications/policies.
• Motivate the team through positive communication to deliver excellent quality food in a timely fashion.
• Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of colleagues at all times.
• Ensure regular completion of temperature checks and cleaning records.
• Ensure shift responsibilities are completed, and handovers are conducted efficiently.
• Support the recruitment, induction, and training of new team members and communicate development needs to the Senior Head Chef.
• Keep senior management informed of any significant issues arising during shifts.
• Ensure confidentiality and act in accordance with data protection requirements when handling personal data.

Requirements

We are seeking an experienced, self-motivated, and enthusiastic individual who is flexible with shift patterns and a passion for delivering an outstanding dining experience. To excel in this role, you’ll have:

• Level 2 Food hygiene certificate (desirable but not essential).
• Some management experience in a kitchen environment.
• Familiarity with airport-based hospitality (preferred but not essential).
• Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent food preparation services.
• Experience in delivering agreed menus to brand standards.
• Good level of written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety requirements in a kitchen, including HACCP, COSHH, food allergens, equipment maintenance, and safety practices.

Personal Qualities

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Resilient and able to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Results-oriented and motivated by achieving stretching objectives.
• Calm and approachable under pressure.
• Passionate about food.
• Looking to make the next step in their career into junior kitchen management.

Our values, Growth, Respect, Innovation, Togetherness (GRIT) are reflected in the behaviours we demand. ARE you:

• Curious, passionate and resilient.
• Responsible, hard-working and keen to help others.
• Willing to show up, be positive and have FUN!

Perks & Benefits

• Subsidised on-site airport parking.
• Free meals while on duty at the site, from the 'Staff Duty Meal' options.
• Tronc (tips and gratuities distribution system) via an elected tronc master.
• 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), increasing by 1 day a year up to a maximum of 32 days.
• NEST pension.
• Wagestream (flexible pay access).
• Health & wellbeing cash plan, also offering discounts and perks across hundreds of retailers.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for health and well-being support from day one.
• Staff referral bonus scheme.

Please note: All successful candidates will be required to:

• Provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
• Hold an Airport Security ID Pass, which we will assist with.
• The application process requires the production of a valid passport, a criminal record check, and five years of personal and employment references.

Equal Opportunities

At ARE Ltd, we recognise the value of diversity and inclusivity in fostering a truly remarkable experience for all our customers. Our commitment extends beyond retail to building a workforce that reflects the wide array of perspectives and experiences found across the UK. We believe that embracing diversity in our teams enables us to provide exceptional service and innovation. We are dedicated to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work, with a strong commitment to promoting equity in both physical and mental health for everyone. To achieve this, we encourage applications from individuals of disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, disabled persons, LGBTQ+ community members, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and those with lived experiences of discrimination.

Accessibility and Adjustments

ARE Ltd is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We strive to be as accommodating as possible to ensure all candidates can participate fully. If you have specific requirements or need adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to get in touch. In your application, feel free to indicate your preferred pronouns (for example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.) to help us better address and respect your identity throughout the process.