Chef Shift Leader - Production Kitchen.

We are looking for a senior kitchen lead at WatchHouse to play a key role in the daily and ongoing success of the WatchHouse food vision and delivery. This role requires someone who is comfortable working in a structured and process led environment with a keen attention to detail.

The senior kitchen lead is hands-on and leads by example; someone who is passionate about quality, consistency and provenance. System orientated and fully involved with daily operations to successfully lead a high performing team in delivering innovative and best-in-class products to our Houses.

They are responsible for leading the day to day running of the food production schedule to ensure all food is produced to required standard and within budget, whilst adhering to and monitoring all steps in the production process to ensure that all orders are fulfilled on time and in full. This role is also responsible for the day-to-day supervision of health and food safety of the kitchen – along with training and developing the team and yourself to always ensure full compliance.

Directly reports into (Line Manager): Kitchen Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Overseeing the production process and team to make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

·       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.

·       Lead Kitchen team to ensure all orders are produced to specification and dispatched correctly.

·       Kitchen stock management, ensuring all items required are ordered in correctly through MarketMan whilst controlling wastage, ensuring accurate stock takes are completed weekly and controlling stock levels accordingly.

·       Kitchen compliance, ensuring work practices comply with Health and Safety legislation and that safe food practices are always being carried out.

The role in more detail:

·       Ensure Kitchen is properly resourced and equipped to maintain an efficient operation.

·       Designate team members according to the daily production schedule.

·       Support the kitchen manager with onboarding, and training new team members, as necessary.

·       Maintain a positive, well developed and engaged team who are willing to go the extra mile to provide excellent service standards

·       Keep working equipment safe and good order whilst ensuring any maintenance issues are dealt with swiftly.

·       Ensure teams are using the daily Trail log correctly and to their benefit.

·       Set and uphold standards for hygiene and cleaning, ensure that cleaning rotas are managed correctly.

Key to this role:

         ● Genuine passion for food and desire to deliver best in class products to our Houses.

         ● Strong leadership abilities, with a positive can-do attitude.

         ● Level 3 Food Hygiene or successful completion of by end of probation, 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 with your team.

         ● Level 3 Health & Safety or successful completion of by end of probation.

         ● Previous experience leading a team, with the ability to delivery 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.

         ● Ability to accurately follow recipe specifications.

         ● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

         ● Ability to work at well at pace when under pressure.

         Working at WatchHouse.

         WatchHouse was born from a passion to do better. Diligence and attention to detail are paramount to what we do, we focus on the detail. We strive for perfection. We really care.

         We are a people first business, curious and interested in those around us. We treat everyone with respect. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equality is insisted, and inclusion expected. 

         A company where we believe in having the right person in the role; personality and individuality at the top of the list of what we are looking for in applications and throughout our hiring process.      

         We also know that everyone is different, and we value and respect diversity, standing up for equality and standing against any form of discrimination.       

         Decisions about and the treatment of people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance, and behaviour- these should be assessed against the WatchHouse job description requirements for each individual role.          

         We are always patient and considerate towards others. Encouraging, approachable and communicating brilliantly. We strive to be the best we can be, by giving and receiving regular and honest feedback in a professional manner.          

         We plan, prioritise and are mindful and respect the time of others. We complete every task to the best of our ability. Always happy to ask for help, work in cohesion with other people/departments and share successes.          

         We work to make WatchHouse an environment of trust and comradery, where others are inspired to play their part in working effectively together. Building strong relationships with others and demonstrating positive energy. We recognise and value the contribution of others across the business, working together to deliver the Modern Coffee experience to each and every person touched by our business.          

         Our four core values - passion, can do, diligence and empathy - are what makes WatchHouse who we are. Our decisions are made based on these principles. To grow and succeed at WatchHouse, it is imperative that these values also resonate strongly with you and can drive your ambition in the same way they do ours.