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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious meals for boarding students.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the catering industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, wellness classes, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Culinary experience, strong leadership, and a passion for food required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Benefits
- Free meals on duty
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Role Overview
As Kitchen Manager, you would lead a small team consisting of 1 Sous Chef (Assistant Kitchen Manager) and 5 Catering Assistants. Together, your team would provide freshly prepared meals for approximately 60 boarding students, including breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks. We pride ourselves on fresh, from-scratch cooking. You will be responsible for the overall management of the boarding house menu, food production planning, food purchasing, and stock controls. You will contribute to menu development, ensure the cleanliness and general housekeeping of the kitchen, and implement new policies and procedures as required.
Shift Pattern Overview
5 days over 7, with shifts alternating between 7:00 AM–3:00 PM and 11:30 AM–7:30 PM. Two days each week will require you to provide all meal services (breakfast, lunch, and supper) when the Sous Chef is off. A split shift - 7-2/5:30-7:30 or full day 7am-7:30pm would be required. Overtime will be paid in money or in lieu. Typical days off will be Friday and Saturday or Sunday and Monday, with every third weekend off.
Outside Of Term Time
The School is contracted to private lettings and international student programs (e.g., Easter and summer schools), you’ll join a larger catering team. No split shifts are required during these periods. However, we can accommodate a term time only contract for you should you prefer.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage house menu, food production planning, and purchasing within budgetary constraints.
- Oversee cleanliness and general housekeeping of all kitchen areas, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
- Implement new policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
- Provide up-to-date reports on progress to senior management.
- Communicate effectively with the senior management team and support their leadership.
- Manage stock effectively to minimise waste and maintain budgetary targets.
- Take leadership of the kitchen team, focusing on development and progression.
- Conduct performance reviews and set objectives for team members.
- Ensure operational excellence through effective communication and performance management.
- Train and develop kitchen staff, ensuring a succession plan is in place.
- Liaise with the House Master and Matron, attending food committee meetings and acting upon feedback.
- Maintain health and safety standards, including adherence to food safety regulations and checks.
- Ensure compliance with company policies regarding uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Person Specification
- Excellent culinary skills with experience in a similar role.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, able to engage and motivate others.
- Business management experience within a kitchen environment.
- Passionate about food and delivering excellence.
- NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent (desirable).
- Intermediate food hygiene/Level 2 certification (desirable).
About Us
As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK’s biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Kitchen Manager - Rugby employer: Lodestone House
Contact Detail:
Lodestone House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Manager - Rugby
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the school and its values. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Kitchen Manager, especially your leadership and culinary skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! During the interview, share your ideas for menu development or how you ensure quality in food production. This will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and innovation in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself fresh in their minds and show your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Manager - Rugby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary skills and any relevant experience. We want to see how passionate you are about food and cooking, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear About Your Leadership Style: As a Kitchen Manager, you'll be leading a team, so let us know how you engage and motivate others. Share examples of how you've developed your team in the past – we love to see that!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Mention specific responsibilities from the role overview that excite you and how your experience aligns with them. It shows us you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestone House
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Kitchen Manager, you'll be responsible for the house menu. Make sure you research and understand the types of meals that are popular with students. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menu development and how you can incorporate fresh, from-scratch cooking into daily offerings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a small team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed kitchen staff in the past. Highlight your experience in conducting performance reviews and setting objectives for team members.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Health and safety standards are paramount in a kitchen environment. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of food safety regulations and how you've implemented policies to ensure compliance in previous roles. This will show that you take these responsibilities seriously.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the kitchen's operations, team dynamics, and any challenges they face. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.