At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food production strategy and inspire menu development at our National Distribution Centre.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, known for John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture where your voice matters and career growth is encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while leading a passionate team in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Food Production Certificate and supervisory experience in a high-volume environment.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 € per year.
About the role
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.
Salary: Up to £40,000
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Fully on-site at Magna Park.
The Hours: Shift-based, starting from 7:00 AM with a guaranteed finish by 7:00 PM. To support our 24/7 campus, occasional weekends are required. We believe in planning ahead; all rotas are pre-scheduled and shared well in advance, giving you the visibility you need to balance your professional and personal life.
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.
About The Partnership
We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
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 occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
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.
Food Production Manager employer: John Lewis & Partners
At the John Lewis Partnership, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect among our Partners. Working as a Food Production Manager at our Magna Park location offers you the unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment while enjoying a strong focus on personal growth and development. With pre-scheduled rotas for work-life balance and a commitment to innovation in food production, you'll find a rewarding career that truly values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Production Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food production industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food safety and operational excellence, and think of examples from your experience that showcase your skills in these areas. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! When discussing menu development or team leadership, share innovative ideas or successful projects you've led. This not only highlights your expertise but also demonstrates your passion for creating inspiring and nutritious food.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the John Lewis Partnership and being part of a team that values collaboration and innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Production Manager
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 experiences 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. At StudySmarter, we value collaboration, so let us know how you foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Be Clear About Your Experience:Don’t hold back on detailing your relevant qualifications and supervisory experience. We’re looking for someone with a solid background in high-volume hospitality or production environments, so make it easy for us to see how you fit the bill!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both you and us!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about menu ideas that balance nutrition and inspiration. Be ready to discuss how you would approach menu development and what trends you see in the food industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Think about specific situations where you coached or mentored team members, and be ready to share how you foster an inclusive and high-performing culture.
✨Understand Operational Excellence
Brush up on your knowledge of kitchen operations, inventory management, and food safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you would maintain high operational standards and minimise waste in a fast-paced setting.
✨Communicate Strategically
Think about how you can effectively communicate with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you’ve resolved conflicts or differences in the past, and how you can ensure seamless collaboration across teams at the campus.
