Deputy Manager in London

Working for Neds is not just a job — it's a career.

At Neds Noodle Bar, we are on a mission to provide a loving and cultured environment for our customers and our people, while serving what we believe are the Number One Noodles in a Box.

We are looking for a hands-on Assistant General Manager/ Deputy Manager who wants to take real responsibility, help lead a successful restaurant and grow their career with us.

As Assistant General Manager, you will be the General Manager's trusted second-in-command, supporting them in leading the restaurant's people, performance, standards and profitability. You will lead shifts independently, develop your team, solve problems and help drive the business forward.

At Neds, great leadership starts in the kitchen.

We take enormous pride in our product quality, operational flow and steps of service. We believe you can only truly understand and maintain these standards when you are actively involved in the operation yourself.

That's why our Assistant General Managers are expected to spend at least one day a week working in and leading from the kitchen. We want someone who can work alongside the team, understand the challenges first-hand, coach people and lead by example — not simply manage from the sidelines.

Our brand standards, operational flow, steps of service and product quality are non-negotiable. Within those standards, we encourage you to take initiative, make decisions and find ways to make your restaurant better.

You are the right hand of the chief! You'll help set the tone, support your General Manager and make sure the restaurant is clean, efficient, welcoming and profitable.

And because we believe managers should share in the success they help create, you'll participate in our quarterly profit share scheme.

Your future with Neds

We are a small business with four locations, and we believe in developing talented people who genuinely enjoy running restaurants.

For an ambitious Assistant General Manager, the next step is becoming a General Manager — whether that's taking over an existing Neds restaurant or leading a new location as we expand.

Beyond that, we have a proven pathway towards business ownership. Outstanding managers may eventually progress towards becoming an Owner Manager, Neds Business Partner or Franchise Operator, depending on the opportunities available.

This is a long-term journey built on performance, experience and trust, with the potential to work towards business ownership without a large financial commitment at the outset.

We're looking for a great Assistant General Manager first. If you prove yourself and have the ambition to progress, we'd love to help you get there.

What you'll be responsible for

• Supporting the General Manager in running the restaurant and delivering strong performance.

• Working at least one day a week in the kitchen, leading by example and maintaining our product and service standards.

• Leading shifts independently and taking charge when the General Manager is absent.

• Training, developing and motivating the team across both kitchen and front-of-house operations.

• Delivering consistently excellent food, service and customer experience.

• Maintaining Neds standards across cleanliness, food quality, operational flow and safety.

• Supporting the management of sales, labour, stock, waste, costs and profitability.

• Assisting with recruitment, team development and staff retention.

• Identifying opportunities to improve the restaurant and putting ideas into action.

We don't want someone who is simply the best person on shift. We want someone who can help build a great team, develop others and contribute to a restaurant that performs consistently, even when managers aren't standing over everyone.

What we're looking for

• Strong practical kitchen knowledge and experience in a busy food operation — essential.

• Ideally at least 2 years' supervisory or management experience in hospitality or QSR.

• A genuinely hands-on leader, confident working alongside the kitchen team.

• A strong people person who enjoys training, coaching and developing others.

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of sales, labour, stock and profit.

• High standards, attention to detail and passion for great food and customer experience.

• Upbeat, approachable, chatty and human-loving.

• Energetic, positive and comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility.

• Able to balance initiative with teamwork and strict brand standards.

• Good basic IT, maths and written and spoken English.

• Wok or Asian food experience is an advantage, but strong QSR kitchen and operational experience is more important.

• Flexible to work some evenings, weekends and holidays.

What we offer

£32,000–£35,000 starting salary depending on experience

Plus:

• Quarterly profit share.

• 28 days paid holiday.

• Meal on every shift.

• Training and development.

• Staff parties and team events.

• A friendly, supportive working environment.

• Real responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference.

• Genuine career progression towards General Manager, with longer-term opportunities towards business ownership for the right person.

If you love being in the heart of the operation, leading great people, delivering great food and want to build a future with Neds, we'd love to hear from you.