At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create top-notch breakfast and lunch items.
- Company: Join a vibrant food production company dedicated to quality and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and a fun, engaging work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a positive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food production while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Kitchen Lead role is a hands-on position that leads by example, suited to someone with a genuine passion for quality, consistency, and great food. Based across our production kitchens, you will play a key role in overseeing the production of best-in-class savoury breakfast and lunch items for our Houses, ensuring every item is produced and presented with care, precision, and attention to detail. You will be fully involved in daily operations, managing a high-performing team to maintain exceptional product quality, consistency, and efficiency across all production lines. Alongside this, you will uphold high storage, dispatch, cleanliness, and food safety standards, while fostering a positive, engaged team culture built on honesty, empathy, and accountability. Directly reports to our Head of Food.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for the daily operation of the production kitchen: Lead and hold to account the kitchen team throughout your shift. Ensuring all shifts are opened and closed to the correct standards. Daily checks are done accurately and recorded on Trail. Produce weekly shift rotas to be approved by Bakery manager. Each shift volume is prepared and packed in full and on time. Solve production issues and optimize workflow and labour usage.
- Shift supervision of health and food safety of the bakery ensuring full compliance with WatchHouse’s operating procedures.
- Uphold standards across the team to make sure product quality is maintained and that all items are being produced to the correct recipe and product specification, ensuring consistency across all product lines. Address any product quality issues (quality, weights, finish) within the shifts and elevate as required. Drive food safety compliance to ensure the bakery and all processes remain held to highest standards of cleanliness and traceability.
- Monitor ingredient inventory, coordinating efficient and accurate stock management. Escalate to kitchen lead if stocks of ingredients are too high/low and support adjustment and reduce wastage. Kitchen stock management, ensuring all items required are ordered correctly through MarketMan whilst controlling wastage, ensuring accurate stock takes are completed weekly and controlling stock levels accordingly.
- Ensure all team members take correct breaks, holidays and start and finish shifts on time. Maintain a positive culture and an engaged team, uphold standards with honesty and empathy to ensure consistent quality.
Key to this role
- Genuine passion for food and drive to deliver best-in-class products to our Houses.
- Available 40 hours per week, any 5 days out of 7.
- Strong leadership abilities, with a positive can-do attitude.
- Level 3 Food Hygiene knowledge of HACCP and ability to implement and manage food safety practices to remain compliant.
- Interpersonal skills, the ability to build and maintain relationships whilst showing empathy to your team.
- Level 3 Health & Safety or successful completion by end of probation.
- Demonstrated experience leading a team in a production environment, with the ability to deliver effective feedback and hold their team to account.
- Attention to detail, be diligent in ensuring all product lines are consistent and to product specification.
- Familiar with working on Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well at pace when under pressure.
Production Kitchen Lead (CPU) employer: The Watch House & Co
As a Production Kitchen Lead at our vibrant production kitchens, you will thrive in a dynamic environment that values quality, teamwork, and personal growth. We offer a supportive work culture where your passion for food is celebrated, alongside opportunities for professional development and leadership training. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that prioritises excellence and fosters a positive atmosphere, ensuring every meal is crafted with care and precision.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Kitchen Lead (CPU)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their social media and website to see what they're all about. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their kitchen family.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've led a team or solved a problem. Be ready to share these stories during your interview to demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! Bring some enthusiasm to the table by discussing your favourite dishes or cooking techniques. This will not only make you memorable but also highlight your genuine love for quality food, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the position and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Kitchen Lead (CPU)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences or stories that highlight your genuine passion for quality and consistency in food production. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you truly care about delivering the best.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your leadership abilities in your application. Talk about times you've successfully managed a team, solved problems, or maintained high standards. We’re looking for someone who can lead by example, so show us how you’ve done that in the past!
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in this role, so reflect that in your application. Ensure your CV and cover letter are free from errors and clearly structured. Mention specific examples where your attention to detail made a difference in your previous roles.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Watch House & Co
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the company’s production kitchen operations. Research their menu items and understand their quality standards. This will help you demonstrate your genuine passion for food and show that you’re ready to lead by example.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a production environment. Think about times when you’ve had to solve issues on the spot or maintain high standards under pressure. This will highlight your strong leadership abilities and positive can-do attitude.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Brush up on your Level 3 Food Hygiene and HACCP knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you would implement and manage food safety practices in the kitchen. This shows that you take cleanliness and compliance seriously, which is crucial for this role.
✨Communicate with Empathy
During the interview, focus on your interpersonal skills. Share experiences where you’ve built relationships with your team and maintained a positive culture. Highlighting your ability to show empathy will resonate well, as it aligns with the company’s values.
