Sous Chef Chocolatier – Chocolate, cake, biscuit, pastry Production
Location: Makers Production Kitchen, Brentford, West London
Salary: £42,000–£55,000 per annum, depending on experience
Performance Bonus: Up to 10% of annual salary, after probation periode.
Hours: Full-time, 48 hours per week, predominantly day shifts
Start Date: To be agreed
Work Location: In person
Please check your commute to Brentford before applying.
About Makers
Makers is a growing premium chocolate and pastry business with our shop in Chelsea and our production kitchen based in Brentford, West London.
We create chocolates, pastry, ice cream, drinks and seasonal collections, combining strong technical craftsmanship with a different approach to traditional chocolate and pastry production.
The business is now entering an important stage of growth. Our first shop is established and trading, and new projects, including additional retail locations, are already in development and planning.
We are continuing to expand our product range, improve our production methods and systems, and prepare the operation for the next stage of the business.
We are looking for people who want to be part of that journey: people with energy, ambition and a genuine desire to help build something.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Sous Chef with a strong background in chocolate production to join our production team in Brentford.
You will be joining the Executive Chef and another experienced Sous Chef, working together to lead and develop the production kitchen as Makers continues to grow.
This is a hands-on role combining chocolate production, pastry, product development, manufacturing processes, team management and operational organisation.
You will work closely with the Executive Chef and senior kitchen team across the day-to-day production of our existing ranges while also supporting R&D, seasonal collections, bespoke projects and the development of products and systems for future Makers locations and projects.
We are looking for somebody who is technically strong but also practical, energetic and adaptable.
Makers is a growing business, so the role requires someone who is comfortable with change, able to solve problems and willing to take responsibility.
You should enjoy making things happen.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support the daily production of our chocolate, pastry and other product ranges.
- Work alongside the Executive Chef and Sous Chef to organise and develop the production operation.
- Produce consistently to a high technical and visual standard.
- Have a strong understanding of chocolate production and manufacturing processes, including tempering, moulding, enrobing, fillings, ganaches, caramels, pralinés and related production techniques.
- Work closely with the Executive Chef on R&D and new product development across chocolate, pastry, ice cream, drinks and seasonal collections.
- Support the development of products and production systems for new shops and future company projects.
- Help move products successfully from development into repeatable and efficient production.
- Organise production schedules, priorities and mise en place to ensure deadlines and quantities are achieved.
- Support the development and improvement of production processes, recipes, specifications and SOPs.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, quality and workflow.
- Supervise, train and develop junior members of the kitchen team.
- Lead by example with a hands-on approach to production.
- Monitor stock levels, ingredient usage, wastage and production requirements.
- Support ordering, receiving, stock rotation and inventory management.
- Assist with food costing, yield management and waste reduction.
- Maintain excellent food hygiene, HACCP, allergen and health & safety standards.
- Support seasonal launches, bespoke projects, client requirements and periods of increased production.
- Work collaboratively with the wider operations, retail and management teams.
What We Are Looking For
Essential
- Strong professional experience in chocolate production.
- Previous experience at Sous Chef level, senior chocolatier level, or in a comparable production leadership position.
- Previous experience within a recognised luxury, premium or high-end brand, ideally within chocolate, pastry, hospitality or premium food production.
- Excellent technical understanding of chocolate and chocolate-based products.
- Comfortable working within a production or manufacturing environment, not only small-batch restaurant mise en place.
- Strong understanding of production organisation, consistency, yields and quality control.
- Experience supervising and developing a team.
- Excellent attention to detail and high personal standards.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
- Comfortable taking responsibility and making decisions.
- Flexible and resilient, with the ability to adapt as priorities and the business evolve.
- Open to feedback and able to continuously improve products and processes.
- A hands-on attitude — willing to be involved directly in production as well as management.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens and hygiene requirements.
- Existing right to work in the United Kingdom.
The Person
Beyond technical ability, we are looking for somebody with the right mindset.
You should be:
- Dynamic and energetic — someone who brings momentum to the team.
- Motivated — interested in developing both yourself and the business.
- Reliable and consistent — somebody we can build around for the long term.
- Resilient — comfortable working through challenges and finding solutions.
- Curious — interested in new ingredients, techniques, machinery and production methods.
- Flexible — able to move between production, development, management and problem-solving when required.
- Hands-on — prepared to get involved and make things happen.
- Quality-driven — with an understanding of the standards and expectations associated with a luxury brand.
- Collaborative — able to work closely with the Executive Chef, Sous Chef, production staff, retail and management.
- Ambitious — interested in growing with the company as the operation develops.
Highly Desirable
- Michelin-starred restaurant or luxury hotel experience.
- Experience within an artisan or premium chocolate manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of ganache formulation, shelf life, water activity and chocolate production controls.
- Experience with production machinery such as tempering machines, enrobers, guitar cutters, moulding equipment, melangers or similar equipment.
- Experience scaling recipes from R&D into larger production volumes.
- Experience with ice cream or frozen dessert production.
- Formal qualification in chocolate, pastry or culinary arts.
- Experience creating and maintaining recipes, specifications, SOPs and production documentation.
What We Offer
- Salary of £42,000–£55,000, depending on experience and level.
- Performance-related bonus of up to 10% of annual salary.
- The opportunity to work closely with the Executive Chef and an experienced senior kitchen team.
- Significant exposure to chocolate production, pastry, ice cream, drinks and bespoke projects.
- The opportunity to participate in the development and opening of future Makers locations and projects.
- The opportunity to take increasing responsibility as the business grows.
- A modern production environment with professional chocolate and pastry equipment.
- Employee and store discount.
- Free parking at the production site.
- Company pension.
Career Development
This role has the potential to develop significantly alongside the company.
New Makers projects and locations are already being planned, meaning the production operation will continue to develop in scale, structure and responsibility.
We are looking for someone who does not simply want their next Sous Chef position, but who is interested in growing with a developing business, taking ownership and becoming an important part of the future production team.
For the right person, increased responsibility and progression will come as the business and production operation continue to grow.
How to Apply
Please apply with:
- An up-to-date CV.
- A short introduction explaining your chocolate-production experience and why you are interested in joining Makers.
- Examples or a portfolio of previous chocolate or pastry work, where available.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £42,000–£55,000 per year + performance bonus up to 10%
Work authorisation: United Kingdom required
Work location: Brentford, West London – in person
Pay: £42,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Brentford TW8 0PP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
Experience:
- Chocolatier: 5 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
