Job Description

Company benefits

- Staff SMWS membership

- Up to 350 bottle allocation

- Private medical care

- Cycle to work scheme

- Electric car scheme

- 34 days holidays

- Birthday vouchers

- Long service award

- Workplace nursery benefit

- Company pension scheme

- Company sick pay

- Critical illness income protection

- Death in service insurance

Please find further details below

Job Title:

Head Chef

Reporting to:

Group Head Chef

Location:

The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ

Hours:

45 hours / week

The Company

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is an organisation that was formed from the unconventional. We think a little bit differently and have made it our mission to build our whisky community by offering a valuable membership experience that attracts and inspires involvement. We host the world's most colourful whisky experiences, bringing members together and having fun along the way. SMWS is recognised for its award-winning whiskies, incredible food and unique approach.

The goal is to create and deliver a food offering which members are proud of and also boosts whisky & membership sales. All our food menus are based on four key pillars- Quality, Seasonality, Provenance and Whisky. Each of our venues has it's own personality and style, particularly when it comes to the food and menus. The Vaults is focussed on delivering great value by making as much as possible in house and creating simple, comforting and exceptional dishes.

The Society's mission is to grow our membership while ensuring everyone appreciates a sense of belonging to a like-minded community of whisky lovers. That pioneering and challenging spirit continues to guide the Society in everything we do, bringing like-minded whisky lovers together to appreciate whisky in its purest form. We are now renowned as the world's leading whisky club, bringing an international community together to share in a constant variety of exceptional and multi award-winning single cask whiskies, enjoyed at colourful whisky tastings, festivals, and events.

Purpose of the role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team in delivering exceptional culinary experiences at the Vaults which is one of our 4 private members whisky bars. The kitchen is open six days a week serving an a la carte menu in the members room, the courtyard (in the summer) and various members events and private functions throughout the week. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of food production, ensuring that all dishes meet our high standards of quality. As the Head Chef, you will be responsible for managing kitchen operations, supervising staff, and maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.

The postholder will have extensive hands-on kitchen experience, budgeting and costing skills and experience of managing a commercial catering environment. They will also have a strong value base that promotes training and development and have the capability to manage time and resources effectively.

Working hours - 45 hours per week; 5 days over 7 days. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly within the opening hours of the operation which includes weekends and evenings.

Key Responsibilities

Foodservice and Development

1. Work with the Group Head Chef to develop and execute seasonal menus that complement the whisky at the core of our brand.

2. Leadership of the kitchen team to ensure delivery of quality & consistency.

3. Management of food & labour costs to agreed budgets and targets.

4. Ensure that the kitchen is operating in accordance with SMWS Food Safety Management System. Delivering food in a clean and safe environment.

5. Collaborate with suppliers to create food offers that reflect a sense of place, with local and Scottish sourcing at the heart of the offer.

6. Ensure seasonality in menus and a variety of choice for the range of customers at SMWS, ensuring connections with our core whisky products

7. Monitor food cost, control food waste and manage discrepancies in gross profit achievement.

8. Ensure staff are briefed about menus, allergens and other relevant information.

9. Develop menus as required for private hires and events.

Systems and Processes

1. Manage the kitchen budget, monitoring food sales and costs and responding quickly to variances in performance, implementing corrective action where necessary.

2. Lead on food safety in line with current legislation, ensuring compliance with daily and other due diligence processes and specifically following the food safety system and HACCP processes.

3. Follow any relevant risk assessments in line with current legislation.

4. Monitor and record kitchen maintenance requirements.

5. Supervise daily and weekly cleaning duties and the completion of due diligence paperwork.

6. Responsible for ordering all food and non-consumable items for the kitchen.

7. Place orders, log deliveries and carry out stock checks of food stocks; control stock rotation ensuring first in first out processes

Team Management

1. Create a working culture which motivates and encourages all members of staff to perform to the best of their abilities.

2. Develop training and development plan for kitchen team and monitor delivery and completion of individual training plans. Conduct performance reviews for the kitchen team according to SMWS procedure.

3. Assist with the control of and monitor payroll costs by ensuring rotas are compiled in line with forecasted and actual business levels.

4. Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within the wider organisation.

5. Mentor and support kitchen staff.

6. Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues front of house.

7. Comply with, and ensure compliance with, SMWS policies and procedures.

This job description is indicative of the nature and level of responsibility associated with the job. It is not exhaustive and there may be a requirement to undertake such other duties as may be required to meet the needs of SMWS.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Experience of managing kitchens - managing quality, process, ordering, stock-control etc. Experience in food production. Experience in menu planning and costing. Experience of staff management. Food safety qualification level 3 (Intermediate) and willingness to work to level 4 (Advanced). Ability to respond positively to a pressurised environment, motivate teams and adopt a constructive approach to problem solving. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including reporting skills.

Desirable

Formal cookery/catering qualification to NVQ3 or higher. Demonstrable knowledge and passion for local food and sustainable sourcing.

Personal attributes

Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. Self-motivated with a willingness to learn. Ability to work as part of a team and use initiative as expected with the role. Well organised and tidily presented. Excellent communication skills at all levels. Pleasant personality. Ability to undertake the physical work associated with running a commercial kitchen.

Company benefits

DETAILS

1. _

__Staff bottle allocation _
At the start of each tax year (April) you will receive up to 500 retail value in vouchers to spend on bottles at our venues for you to explore and enjoy our marvellous liquid.

2._

__ SMWS Staff Membership _
All of our employees automatically become members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the worldwide whisky club with over 40,000 members who treasure flavour and the joy of shared experiences with whisky in its purest form.

3. _

__Private Medical Care with Aviva _
All employees at ASC have the option to opt in to this benefit from day 1 of employment. We pay the premium, and you must pay the 'benefit in kind'. Cover for family is not paid by ASC, however you can add them onto your policy at your own cost, paid through monthly salary payment.

4. _

__Group Life Insurance (Death in service)_
Upon completion of 12-month service with the company this benefit provides insurance to cover a lump sum benefit to the employee's named recipient in the event of their death.

5. _

__Discretionary bonus scheme _
The ASC Bonus Scheme is an annual, non-contractual benefit that allows our people to take part in the success of our company.

6. _

__34 days holidays inclusive of statutory days_
Unless your contract of employment states otherwise, full time staff are entitled to 34 days holidays per year at ASC. If you are part time, your annual holiday allowance will be pro-rated.

7._

__ 30% off bottles and drinks at SMWS _
Whether visiting venues for food and drinks or to purchase bottles, all employees at ASC will receive 30% off their bill.

8._

__ Income protection and critical illness cover _
After 12 months service, employees with eligible conditions who are off work for 6 months and longer receive 66.7% of their base salary until they are fit to come back to work or reach the retirement age.

9. _

__Bike to work scheme _
This benefit scheme offers our employees the opportunity to save up to 43.25% on the cost of bicycles and/or safety equipment.

10. _

__Electric car scheme _
Please speak to the ASC People Team to request further details.

11._

__ 100 annual allowance for glasses _
Employees can claim back up to 100 on prescription glasses or contact lenses annually. This benefit is available for screen users who mostly work on a PC.

12. _

__Workplace Nursery scheme _
Our workplace nursery scheme is run by Enjoy Benefits and allows you to pay for your nursery fees before tax and NI deductions on your monthly salary (salary exchange), meaning you can save on the total cost of your monthly childcare.

13. _

__Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured _
An EAP is a confidential employee benefit designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health, and general wellbeing.
Our EAP service provides a support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues.

14._

__ Auto-enrolment pension scheme _
The Company offers an auto-enrolment pension scheme with Peoples Pension and always follows the Government Legislative requirements.

15. _

__Salary exchange pension scheme _
Salary exchange pension schemes are a tax efficient way for employees to pay into their workplace pension. They can help you increase your take home pay by lowering your tax and National Insurance contributions. Our scheme is run through Husky, as with the Auto-enrolment scheme, our workplace pensions are with The People's Pension.

16. _

__Charitable Giving and Volunteering _
We know that many of you have a cause that you are very passionate about, as a result we will match any fund raising you carry out up to 200 per year per staff member. We give every employee an additional day volunteering leave each year, for you to be able to physically support a charity or volunteering activity of your choice.

17. _

__Birthday voucher_
As a small token from us, each employee receives a 25 Highstreet Voucher on their birthday each year.

18. _

__Annual Staff Party_

19. _

__Long service award gift and celebration_
In recognition of employee's length of service ASC offer milestone rewards such as vouchers and extra annual leave, from 5 years, right up to 20 years' service.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 36,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme Tips
Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Childcare Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Enhanced paternity leave Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance Paid volunteer time Private dental insurance Private medical insurance Referral programme Sick pay
Schedule:

10 hour shift 8 hour shift Holidays Overtime Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 02/06/2025