Job Description

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

We are seeking an experienced Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to lead our fast-paced kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will excel at delivering high-quality food quickly, particularly for our bottomless brunch, where up to 100 full breakfasts need to be served in minutes.

Key responsibilities include:

Maintaining environmental health competency and holding Food Hygiene Level 3 certification. Demonstrating a practical and theoretical understanding of successful kitchen management. Effective staff management. Proficiency in P&L management. Competency with Excel / Google Docs spreadsheets.

More Detail:

Nortons Digbeth is a vibrant 500-capacity live music venue, bar, and kitchen, proudly serving authentic Irish cuisine. Our menu boasts full Irish breakfasts with genuine Irish ingredients, hand-stretched pizzas, traditional Irish "curry chip" fries, legendary "spice bag chips," and classic pub cobs.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to lead our culinary team. You will be instrumental in creating exciting menus, optimizing ingredient usage, and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our kitchen. As a growing business, we embrace technology to streamline processes, manage health and safety, and monitor profit and loss. A strong understanding of spreadsheets, P&Ls, and a keenness to learn new software are essential for success in this role.

Our Full Irish Bottomless Brunch has become increasingly popular and we are on target to have 100 covers served every Saturday afternoon at 3pm followed by a two hour session of pints and live music. Real life kitchen experience in getting such a high volume of covers out in such a short space of time is essential to this role.

Key Responsibilities:

Menu Development & Innovation:

Design and implement creative, seasonal menus that reflect Nortons Digbeth's unique identity, ensuring high quality and profitability.

Kitchen Operations:

Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, plating, and service, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and efficiency.

Team Leadership:

Recruit, train, and manage kitchen staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Schedule shifts, delegate tasks, and conduct performance reviews.

Stock Management:

Accurately manage stock levels, conduct regular stock takes, place orders with suppliers, and manage deliveries, minimizing waste and optimizing costs.

Quality Control:

Ensure all food is prepared quickly and to a consistently high quality, adhering to recipes and presentation standards.

Health & Safety:

Maintain a spotless kitchen environment and enforce strict adherence to Food Hygiene Level 3 standards and all relevant health and safety regulations.

Financial Management:

Monitor and manage kitchen budgets, P&L, and food costs, identifying areas for improvement and implementing cost-saving measures.

Technology Utilization:

Effectively use spreadsheets and our suite of software (including monday.com, trailapp, labl.it, access collins) for inventory management, ordering, scheduling, and P&L tracking.

Equipment Maintenance:

Oversee the proper use and maintenance of all kitchen equipment, ensuring a safe and functional workspace.

Required Skills and Experience:

Proven track record as a Head Chef or Kitchen Manager in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrable experience in creating exciting and profitable menus. Expertise in managing stock levels, ordering, and deliveries. Level 3 Food Hygiene certification is essential. Experience in managing, motivating, and training other kitchen staff. Strong understanding of P&L statements and kitchen financial management. Highly organized with excellent time management skills. Ability to work under pressure and maintain a calm and professional demeanor. Ideally experienced in pizza making and dough handling. Tech-savvy with strong proficiency in spreadsheets and a willingness to learn new software.
If you are a passionate and experienced culinary professional with a strong understanding of kitchen management and a love for authentic Irish cuisine, we encourage you to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 34,000.00-38,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Performance bonus Tips
Benefits:

Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount
Schedule:

Day shift Every weekend Monday to Friday Night shift Weekend availability
Experience:

Kitchen management: 2 years (required) Kitchen: 3 years (required) Pizza: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person