Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London
Central Kitchen Operations Manager

Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London

London Full-Time 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Pure

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic Central Kitchen team while ensuring high-quality food production.
  • Company: Join Pure, a passionate and inventive company focused on excellence in food production.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment and shape the future of food operations.
  • Qualifications: Experience in high-volume food production and strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of accountability and teamwork while driving operational improvements.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

We are looking for an experienced leader from a large‐scale production kitchen, CPU, or high‐volume food assembly environment. This role is ideal for someone who has managed a busy production team, overseen batch‐based workflows, and understands how to deliver consistent quality at speed.

You do not need to already be an Operations Manager — experienced Kitchen Managers, Production Leads, or Assembly Managers from high‐volume food operations are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have run a large kitchen producing food for multiple sites and understand structured processes, traceability, and daily operational control, you will excel in this role.

You will oversee the full Central Kitchen operation end‐to‐end, ensuring accuracy, food safety, team development, workflow efficiency, and consistent high‐quality output as Pure continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead, coach, and develop a full Central Kitchen team across multiple shifts.
  • Recruit, onboard, and train team members for consistent production output.
  • Build strong succession plans and maintain a clear team structure.
  • Run daily briefs, handovers, and communication routines.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and wellbeing.
Operational Leadership
  • Oversee all daily production in a high‐volume environment.
  • Ensure every product meets specification: weights, portioning, coding, and presentation.
  • Maintain full compliance with food safety standards, HACCP controls, and traceability.
  • Strengthen batch coding, labeling, documentation, and record‐keeping.
  • Develop and refine SOPs to improve accuracy, reduce waste, and streamline workflows.
  • Manage production planning, run sheets, shift routines, and cleaning standards.
  • Ensure equipment is maintained and operational at all times.
  • Lead workflow improvements, digitalisation projects, and new equipment implementation.
  • Support long‐term Central Kitchen development, including capacity expansion or infrastructure upgrades.
  • Work cross‐functionally with Retail, Supply Chain, Menu Development, Finance, and Operations.
  • Analyse data to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance throughput.
  • Manage the Central Kitchen P&L including labour, waste, purchasing, and overheads.
  • Produce weekly financial updates, forecasts, and accurate reporting.
  • Identify cost efficiencies without compromising quality or consistency.
  • Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier performance.
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure products consistently meet Pure's highest quality standards.
  • Lead temperature checks, weight verification, traceability audits, and coding accuracy.
  • Maintain readiness for all external inspections and internal audits.
  • Promote a culture where food safety is prioritised at every step.
You Will Be Successful in This Role If You Have:
  • Experience as a Kitchen Manager or Production Manager in a high‐volume food assembly or CPU environment.
  • Strong understanding of HACCP, traceability, food safety controls, and compliance processes.
  • Proven ability to lead and develop teams across different shifts.
  • Experience standardising workflows, implementing SOPs, and running structured operations.
  • Financial understanding of labour control, waste reduction, and operational KPIs.
  • Excellent organisational skills, calm under pressure, and solutions‐focused.
  • A passion for delivering consistent quality at scale.
What Your First 6 Months May Look Like
  • Strengthened leadership and team structure across shifts.
  • Improved traceability, workflow accuracy, and communication routines.
  • Reduced waste and optimised batch production processes.
  • Built strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Developed a long‐term operational improvement plan for the Central Kitchen.
Our Values at Pure
  • THOUGHTFUL – Clear communication and respect.
  • PASSIONATE – Pride, energy, and commitment to excellence.
  • INVENTIVE – Fast, agile, accountable problem‐solving.
  • GENEROUS – Supportive, kind, and team‐focused.

Whether you're a strong Kitchen Manager from a busy food assembly environment or already leading large production teams — we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of Pure's Central Kitchen.

Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London employer: Pure

At Pure, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive. Our Central Kitchen Operations Manager role not only provides a competitive salary of ÂŁ60,000 per annum but also fosters a culture of accountability and personal growth, ensuring that every team member is supported in their development. With a strong focus on food safety, quality, and operational excellence, you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering the highest standards in a high-volume production setting.
Pure

Contact Detail:

Pure Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Central Kitchen Operations Manager role. 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 practising common questions related to kitchen operations and team management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence and refine your answers.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved workflows in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London

Leadership Skills
Team Development
Production Management
HACCP Knowledge
Food Safety Compliance
Operational Control
Workflow Optimisation
SOP Implementation
Financial Management
Data Analysis
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Supplier Relationship Management
Traceability Understanding
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your leadership experience in high-volume food operations and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to manage a busy production team.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams, improved workflows, or ensured food safety in previous positions. This is your chance to show your personality!

Showcase Your Understanding of Food Safety: Since food safety is a big deal for us, make sure to mention your knowledge of HACCP and compliance processes. We want to see that you understand the importance of maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Pure

✨Know Your Numbers

Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) related to kitchen operations. Be ready to discuss how you've managed labour costs, waste reduction, and production efficiency in your previous roles. This shows you understand the financial side of running a central kitchen.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples of how you've led and developed teams in high-pressure environments. Think about specific situations where you’ve fostered teamwork or improved communication routines. This will demonstrate your ability to build a strong team culture, which is crucial for this role.

✨Understand Food Safety Standards

Brush up on HACCP principles and food safety compliance. Be ready to explain how you’ve ensured product quality and safety in past positions. This knowledge is vital, as maintaining high standards is a key responsibility of the Central Kitchen Operations Manager.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Process Improvements

Think about times when you’ve implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) or improved workflows. Prepare to share how these changes positively impacted production accuracy and efficiency. This will highlight your inventive approach to operational challenges.

Central Kitchen Operations Manager in London
Pure
Location: London

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