At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food production across three kitchens, shaping inspiring and nutritious menus.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, evening and night premiums, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Food Production Certificate and supervisory experience in a high-volume environment.
The predicted salary is between 32700 - 51200 £ per year.
At the John Lewis Partnership, we know that exceptional food is a cornerstone of a "happier world." In this role, you will lead the food production strategy for our National Distribution Centre, shaping a menu that is as inspiring as it is nutritious. You aren't just managing a kitchen; you are leading a multi-site operation overseeing three kitchens and a team of 12 Partners to deliver high operational standards in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment. You will have the creative freedom to influence menu development while maintaining a sharp focus on profitability, price, and world-class food safety. Beyond the pass, you will act as a strategic partner across the Magna Park Campus, collaborating with the wider NDC network to ensure our hospitality services are seamless and holistic.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 18:00 - 22:00 will attract an Evening Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour, and any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract a Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
- Food Leadership & Innovation: Shaping the menu for the NDC, ensuring the perfect balance between nutritional value and food inspiration for our Partners.
- Operational Excellence: Leading the food preparation process and managing kitchen inventory, stock requirements, and ordering to maintain high standards and minimise loss.
- Team Development: Coaching and mentoring a team of 12, fostering a high-performing and inclusive environment where every Partner can achieve their potential.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Taking full accountability for kitchen regulations, including the highest standards of food safety, hygiene legislation, and Health & Safety protocols.
- Campus Strategic Support: Playing a central role in the delivery of holistic support services across the campus, collaborating with the Engagement team and the wider Hospitality team.
- Commercial Oversight: Managing the kitchen budget and administrative requirements to ensure management information is accurate and food cost targets are met.
- Crisis Recovery: Acting as a key stakeholder in business recovery plans, ensuring the campus hospitality services can resume quickly and safely in the event of service failure.
Essential Skills/Experience You’ll Need
- Technical Qualification: A recognised Food Production Certificate (NVQ Level 2 in food production, City & Guilds 706 1 & 2 or equivalent).
- Supervisory Experience: Proven operational experience in a high-volume hospitality or production environment at a supervisory/management level.
- Team Leadership: A track record of building high-performing teams, integrating diverse skills, and creating a trust-based environment.
- IT Literacy: Good basic IT skills for managing stock, ordering, and administrative reporting.
- Strategic Influence: Strong communication skills with the ability to resolve professional differences and reach "win-win" outcomes with stakeholders.
Desirable Skills/Experience You May Have
- Advanced Safety: An Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 4).
- Logistics Catering: Experience managing food production within a distribution or industrial campus setting.
- Analytical Mindset: Familiarity with using data and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement in menu design.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
At John Lewis, we’ve got BIG ambitions to be the most inspiring omni-channel retailer in the UK, built on longstanding customer trust and loyalty.
Lead Food Production Manager — 3-Kitchen Campus, 24/7 in Milton Keynes employer: Jlp Insights & Media Website
At John Lewis Partnership, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a culture where every Partner is valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of creating a happier world. Working at our Magna Park Distribution Centre offers not only competitive pay and shift premiums but also a supportive environment that prioritises work-life balance, professional development, and collaboration across our multi-site operations. Join us to lead a dynamic team in a role that combines culinary creativity with strategic influence, all while enjoying the unique benefits of being part of a cherished brand.
Contact Details:
Jlp Insights & Media Website Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Food Production Manager — 3-Kitchen Campus, 24/7 in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food production industry, especially those who work at John Lewis or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. John Lewis is all about partnership and community, so think of examples from your past that showcase your teamwork and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! When discussing menu ideas or operational strategies, bring your unique flair to the table. This role is all about innovation, so don’t be shy about sharing your vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance! It’s the quickest way to get your application seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job postings and updates directly from us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Food Production Manager — 3-Kitchen Campus, 24/7 in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Talk about your experience in food production and how you can bring creativity to the menu. We want to see that you're not just a manager, but someone who genuinely cares about what goes on the plate.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to showcase your experience in leading teams. Share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and mentor others, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your skills and experiences that match the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our values and what we stand for at John Lewis.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jlp Insights & Media Website
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the current food trends and nutritional standards. Be ready to discuss how you would shape a menu that balances inspiration with health, as this role is all about leading food production strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in coaching and mentoring, as well as how you've built trust within diverse teams. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a high-performing kitchen.
✨Understand Operational Excellence
Brush up on your knowledge of kitchen operations, including inventory management and food safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you would maintain high operational standards while managing costs effectively, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Strategically
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. The interviewers will be looking for strong communication skills, so think about how you can resolve conflicts and reach win-win outcomes with stakeholders. This will show that you can be a strategic partner across the campus.
