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 supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, engaging kitchen setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in food quality while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, leadership skills, and food safety knowledge 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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the daily operation of the production kitchen.
- Lead and hold the kitchen team to account throughout your shift.
- Ensure all shifts are opened and closed to the correct standards.
- Conduct daily checks accurately and record them on Trail.
- Produce weekly shift rotas for approval by the Bakery Manager.
- Prepare and pack each shift volume in full and on time.
- Solve production issues and optimize workflow and labour usage.
- Supervise health and food safety, ensuring full compliance with WatchHouse’s operating procedures.
- Uphold standards to maintain product quality and ensure items are produced to the correct recipe and specification, ensuring consistency across all product lines.
- Address any product quality issues (quality, weights, finish) within the shift and escalate as required.
- Drive food safety compliance to keep the bakery and all processes held to the highest standards of cleanliness and traceability.
- Monitor ingredient inventory and coordinate efficient and accurate stock management.
- Escalate to Kitchen Lead if ingredient stocks are too high or low, and support adjustments to reduce wastage.
- Ensure all items required are ordered correctly through MarketMan, control wastage, complete weekly stock takes, and maintain appropriate stock levels.
- Ensure all team members take correct breaks, holidays and start and finish shifts on time.
- Maintain a positive culture and an engaged team, upholding standards with honesty and empathy to ensure consistent quality.
Qualifications:
- Genuine passion for food and a 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 the 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 certification or successful completion by the end of probation.
- Demonstrated experience leading a team in a production environment, with the ability to deliver effective feedback and hold the team to account.
- Attention to detail; diligence in ensuring all product lines are consistent and meet product specifications.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well at pace when under pressure.
Production Kitchen Lead (CPU) in London employer: WatchHouse
As a Production Kitchen Lead at our vibrant production kitchens, you will thrive in a dynamic environment that champions quality and teamwork. We offer a supportive work culture where your passion for food is celebrated, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. With a commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety and product excellence, you'll be part of a dedicated team that values honesty, empathy, and accountability, making it an exceptional place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Kitchen Lead (CPU) in London
✨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 a high-performing team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! Be prepared to discuss your favourite dishes and how you ensure quality and consistency in your cooking. This will highlight your genuine love for the culinary arts and align with the role's focus on best-in-class products.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Kitchen Lead (CPU) in London
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 products.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your leadership abilities in your application. Talk about times you've successfully led a team, managed operations, or solved production issues. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and hold their team accountable, so show us how you’ve done this in the past!
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in our kitchens! In your written application, mention specific examples where your diligence ensured product quality or compliance with food safety standards. This will help us see that you understand the importance of precision in food production.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that aligns perfectly with what we’re looking for. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your genuine love for food during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to ensure quality and consistency in your previous roles. This will demonstrate that you align with the company's values and are committed to delivering best-in-class products.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed a team in a production environment. Be ready to share instances where you've provided effective feedback, resolved conflicts, or motivated your team to achieve high standards. This will show that you're capable of fostering a positive team culture.
✨Know Your Food Safety Standards
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety practices, including HACCP principles. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these standards in past roles and how you would ensure compliance in this position. This will highlight your commitment to maintaining exceptional cleanliness and safety in the kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
During the interview, provide examples of how you've maintained product quality and consistency in your previous jobs. Discuss your methods for conducting daily checks and managing inventory effectively. This will showcase your diligence and ability to uphold high standards across all production lines.
