Kitchen Manager / Head Chef (fixed-term)

ABOUT THE ROLE All colleagues working in our restaurants, cafés and bars will benefit from the discretionary service charge we add to bills. The majority of our guests are happy to reward our colleagues for their excellent service.We are now looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager/Head Chef to join the team of Longford ForestYou will work with the Assistant Kitchen Managers and team leaders, to ensure our back of house teams operate to the required Center Parcs brand standards whilst promoting a positive and proactive working environment. You will provide support to the restaurant General Manager and take part in wider village activities.Responsibilities will include: Effectively control, co-ordinate and plan the activities of your kitchen to outlined standards of procedure.Maintain high guest satisfaction levels through culinary leadership ensuring quality of service, quality of food & drink, value for money and that budgeted financial targets including cost of sales are met and exceeded.Be responsible for the daily management of your kitchen and your team ensuring cleanliness and hygiene standards are achieved as per Company and legal requirements.Report directly to the Restaurant Manager and work together to ensure the continued growth and success of the business. You will facilitate and develop a culture that promotes and encourages the general wellbeing, motivation, and morale of your team, whilst ensuring effective performance management strategies are in place and your team are actively contributing towards this.HOURS OF WORK This is a fixed-term role until May 2025.Working straight shifts, you will be contracted to work 160 hours per 4-week period on a flexible basis. This means that your days and hours of work could vary each week, but you will always receive at least your contracted hours each period.As our village is open 365 days of the year, your working hours will include weekends, public / bank holidays and during Christmas and / or New Year on a rota basis.ABOUT YOU Having already have worked in a similar capacity, either as a Senior Chef de Partie in a large organisation, with full management responsibility for a team of chefs, or as a Kitchen Manager/Head Chef in a smaller unit, you’ll know all there is to know about running a busy kitchen in a premium branded restaurant. From setting standards and motivating the team, through to menu planning and development, along with the management and ordering of stock, your financial awareness and experience to date will ensure you really do ‘Flourish in the Forest’ here at Center Parcs.EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Essential requirements: A formal catering qualificationKitchen management experience as a Senior ChefA group trainer qualification or experience of training a teamA proven track record of managing a small kitchen teamExperience in menu planning and ideally development of a food conceptExperience of cooking themed menus, e.g. American, Pizza, Oriental and Asian Desirable requirements: Experience of working as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a branded restaurant or a training role for a team of chefs in a large organisation THE BENEFITSCenter Parcs is a fantastic place to work and the benefits are as impressive as they are unique. Here are just a few: Management Bonus SchemePension Scheme with Life AssuranceColleague Recognition and Reward Scheme – offering a choice of Center Parcs and High Street vouchersFree use of our leisure facilitiesDiscounted Center Parcs breaks20% discount in our restaurant and retail outletsAn Employee Assistance Program - providing support on financial, health and legal mattersExcellent opportunities for career development and progression with the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications