Head Kitchen Porter- Aston Villa FC

OVERVIEW

Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.

In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Principality Stadium, and, here in Birmingham, Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club.

We are culinary champions – it’s what we do and what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service, is key to creating legendary experiences.

Focused on ‘doing the right thing’ for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Head Kitchen Porter is a pivotal leadership role within the Villa Park kitchen. Responsible for overseeing the kitchen porter team, the post ensures operational efficiency, cleanliness, and hygiene across all Aston Villa Football Club culinary operations.

This role combines hands-on kitchen support with team leadership, ensuring all back-of-house operations meet the high standards expected by both Levy and Aston Villa Football Club. The Head Kitchen Porter drives consistency, mentors team members, enforces compliance, and contributes to a safe, organised, and high-performing kitchen environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, supervise, and motivate the kitchen porter team at Villa Park, ensuring high levels of performance, engagement, and teamwork.
• Coordinate rotas, allocate responsibilities, and manage workloads to cover matchdays, events, and daily kitchen operations.
• Coach, train, and mentor new and existing kitchen porters, fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and safety.
• Conduct regular team briefings and performance reviews, providing feedback and recognition.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure all kitchen porter activities maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety across Villa Park.
• Monitor workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency in dishwashing, cleaning, waste management, and equipment handling.
• Support chefs and culinary teams by maintaining a fully operational kitchen, ensuring prep areas, utensils, and equipment are ready for service.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all health and safety, food hygiene, COSHH, and manual handling protocols for the kitchen porter team.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections, reporting issues and implementing corrective actions promptly.
• Maintain compliance with all Levy and Aston Villa Football Club policies, promoting a safe working environment for all kitchen staff.

Quality Assurance & Standards

• Ensure all cleaning, sanitisation, and operational standards are consistently met and exceed expectations for a professional football club environment.
• Identify areas for improvement and implement best practices to raise the standard of back-of-house operations.

Resource Management

• Oversee the management and safe use of cleaning equipment, dishwashing machines, and other kitchen tools.
• Monitor stock of cleaning materials and equipment, liaising with senior chefs and operations managers to ensure availability.

Event & Matchday Support

• Coordinate kitchen porter activities during high-pressure matchdays, VIP hospitality, and special events at Villa Park.
• Ensure smooth logistical support to the culinary team, minimising downtime and maintaining exceptional standards under peak conditions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Leadership & Team Management

• Proven ability to lead and develop a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Strong communication skills, able to motivate and provide clear direction to staff.

Operational Expertise

• Deep understanding of kitchen hygiene, cleanliness standards, and back-of-house operations.
• Experience implementing processes and ensuring consistent delivery of high standards.

Problem Solving & Initiative

• Ability to anticipate issues and act proactively to resolve challenges.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, ensuring operational excellence.

Physical Stamina & Work Ethic

• Able to manage the physical demands of a busy kitchen environment.
• Reliable, proactive, and able to work under pressure, particularly during matchdays and large-scale events.

Flexibility & Adaptability

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays in line with Aston Villa Football Club’s schedule.
• Adaptable to changing priorities, volumes, and operational requirements.

Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a senior kitchen porter or supervisory role in catering, hospitality, or large-scale events.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety regulations is essential.
• Demonstrable experience leading a team, ideally in a high-volume or sporting environment.