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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team to create delicious food and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join Pret A Manger, a beloved fast-casual restaurant chain focused on fresh ingredients and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, free meals, 50% off food, and 28 days paid holiday.
- Why this job: Grow your career with outstanding training and development in a fun, fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Previous supervisory experience and a passion for food and customer service are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional qualifications and internal promotions await you!
Job Description
(Full time-35 hours per week)
Pret here! We're proud makers of delicious food, organic coffee and big ideas across 750+ shops in 20+ countries.
Whether you're making our customers' days with the perfect latte or leading your team to success, roles in Pret shops come with huge opportunities for growth. Together, we're doing the right thing and growing fast – it's an exciting team to hop on board!
Growing Good Things
Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people (like you!) find the confidence and skills they need to grow and choose their unique paths. And the proof is in the pudding – 80%+ of our Managers and 20% of our Support Centre teams (including our CEO, Pano) started on the shop floor.
What we're looking for
As a Kitchen Leader at Pret a Manger, you'll play a key role in ensuring the consistent preparation of delicious food that meets our high standards, while leading and inspiring your team to deliver excellence every day. You'll act as a role model, promoting Pret's core values and maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant kitchen environment. With a sharp eye for detail, you'll manage stock counts and complete administrative tasks accurately to support smooth operations. Working closely with Managers, you'll help oversee shift performance, resolve issues quickly, and ensure every customer enjoys a fresh and satisfying experience.
About you
- Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day.
- Bring your passion: share our passion for exceptional customer service.
- Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness (like giving away a free coffee on the house) are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special.
- Experience needed: You lead with purpose-driving team performance, protecting profit, and keeping customers happy through high standards and great energy.
We offer
- Hourly rate is £14.56 (inclusive of mystery shopper bonus)
- After initial training, earn an extra £5 per hour for any shift started between 3-5am
- 28 days annual leave (pro-rata if you're part-time)
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance at 3x annual salary & virtual GP
- Healthcare cash plan
- Free food and drink while you're working
- And when you're not, you'll have our Club Pret Membership (giving you 50% off food and to 5 free Barista-made drinks a day)
- Loyalty award after 5, 10, 15, 20 years' service
- Regular rewards and recognition for amazing standards
- Access marketplace discounts on shopping, travel, fitness, dining, tech and more
- Flexible working hours, means you have the time to do what's important to you
- Comfy free shoes to wear on shift
We also offer
- Individual ways to grow – We offer lots of opportunities for learning, whether you join us for a short stint or the long game, you're good to grow with us. Including fully funded professional qualifications -apprenticeships Level 3 and internal transfer opportunities to explore.
- Diversity and belonging – Everyone is welcome at Pret, we want you to feel confident and valued for who you are and to truly belong.
- Pace and variety – Our work is fast paced with lots of variety, you'll build a diverse skill set and learn a lot!
- Community and purpose – We're proud to make a difference through The Pret Foundation, from tackling homelessness to reducing food waste and creating positive change for people and communities.
Our values
- Happy Teams Happy Customers
- Amazing Standards Every day
- Never Standing Still
- Doing The Right Thing
The interview journey
- Every interview process at Pret begins with the same two stages. Initial phone screening and 60-minute shop-based interview with the General Manager and the team
- Everyone is welcome at Pret. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including women, people with disabilities, neurodiversity, ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Please let our recruitment team know if you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process – your experience matters to us.
We'd love to get to know you, not a robot, so please do not rely on AI to complete your application.
Kitchen Leader - University of Warwick employer: Pret A Manger
Contact Detail:
Pret A Manger Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Leader - University of Warwick
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Pret a Manger's core values and mission. Understanding their commitment to quality and sustainability will help you align your answers during any interviews, showcasing that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely want to be part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous supervisory or leadership experience you have. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led a team or improved kitchen operations in the past, as this will demonstrate your capability to take on the Kitchen Leader role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your passion for food and customer service. Think of instances where you've gone above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction, as this will resonate well with Pret's focus on delivering outstanding experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to talk about your availability and flexibility. Since the shifts can vary from early mornings to late evenings, showing that you can adapt to different schedules will make you a more attractive candidate for the Kitchen Leader position.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Leader - University of Warwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Kitchen Leader position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with what Pret A Manger is looking for.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your previous supervisory experience, passion for food, and customer service skills. Use bullet points for clarity and include specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership abilities.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention why you want to work at Pret A Manger and how your values align with theirs. Be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pret A Manger
✨Show Your Passion for Food
As a Kitchen Leader, your love for food and culinary excellence is crucial. Be prepared to share your favourite dishes and what inspires you about working in a kitchen environment. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
Highlight any previous experience you have in leading or training teams. Discuss how you motivate others and ensure high standards are met. Pret values strong leadership, so showcasing your ability to inspire and guide a team will set you apart.
✨Understand Pret's Values
Familiarise yourself with Pret a Manger's core values and mission. During the interview, reference these values and explain how they resonate with you. This shows that you align with the company's culture and are genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions related to kitchen operations, health and safety standards, and stock management. Brush up on relevant procedures and be ready to discuss how you would handle various scenarios in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the role.
