At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to prepare delicious food and ensure high standards.
- Company: Join Pret, a vibrant company with over 750 shops worldwide.
- Benefits: Earn £14.56/hour, enjoy free food, flexible hours, and great perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while growing your skills in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and experience in leading teams.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
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 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
- Our Club Pret Membership – giving you 50% off food and up 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
Individual ways to grow:
We offer lots of opportunities for learning, 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 a 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 - Newbury employer: Pret A Manger
Contact Detail:
Pret A Manger Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Leader - Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Pret's values and culture before your interview. We want to see how you fit into our team, so show us your passion for exceptional customer service and your genuine warmth. This will help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership skills! As a Kitchen Leader, you'll be inspiring your team every day. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've led a team or resolved issues quickly – we love hearing about that!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the shop-based interview! It’s not just about answering questions; it’s about showing us how you interact with the team and customers. Bring your energy and enthusiasm – we want to see you in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing benefits right there!
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Leader - Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for food and customer service.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the Kitchen Leader role. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and what you can bring to the team!
Show Your Enthusiasm: Express your excitement about joining Pret! Whether it’s your love for delicious food or your commitment to exceptional service, we want to know why you’re eager to be part of our team.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pret A Manger
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Pret’s values and what they stand for. Brush up on their menu and think about how you can contribute to maintaining those amazing standards in the kitchen. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to jump in!
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Kitchen Leader, you’ll need to inspire your team. Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or resolved conflicts. Be ready to share these stories during the interview to demonstrate your leadership style and how you can motivate others.
✨Emphasise Customer Service
Pret is all about exceptional customer service, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles. Share specific instances where your actions made a positive impact on someone’s experience – it’ll show you understand the importance of spreading joy every day!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This is your chance to learn more about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how Pret supports its staff. Thoughtful questions not only show your interest but also help you determine if this is the right fit for you.