SAND is looking for an experienced Head of Food Operations to take ownership of our kitchen operation and help us build a food offering that is consistent, efficient and commercially strong.
This is more than a Head Chef position. We’re looking for someone who understands both food and numbers — someone who can lead a kitchen during service while also improving the systems, controls and processes behind it.
THE ROLE
You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of SAND’s food operation, including:
- Leading the kitchen and cooking during day-to-day service
- Managing, training and developing the kitchen team
- Designing and improving kitchen workflow for faster, smoother service
- Maintaining consistency, portion control and food quality
- Managing ordering, stock levels and supplier relationships
- Completing regular stock takes and maintaining accurate inventory
- Monitoring food waste and implementing systems to reduce it
- Analysing sales, food costs, margins and product performance
- Understanding which dishes are performing — and which aren’t
- Working with management to optimise pricing, recipes and gross margins
- Creating and maintaining recipe specifications and accurate dish costings
- Developing prep systems, opening/closing procedures and kitchen SOPs
- Managing food safety, cleanliness and kitchen compliance
- Planning staffing levels and rotas around forecast demand
- Supporting the development and launch of new menu items
- Helping us build systems that can eventually be replicated across multiple SAND locations
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We want someone who is organised, commercially aware and hands-on.
You should be comfortable switching between running a busy service, managing a team and sitting down afterwards to analyse stock, waste and food-cost numbers.
Ideally, you will have:
- Strong professional kitchen experience
- Previous kitchen leadership or management experience
- Excellent understanding of stock and inventory management
- Experience with food costing and gross-margin control
- Strong organisational and operational skills
- Confidence managing and developing a kitchen team
- High standards for food quality and presentation
- A practical understanding of food safety and compliance
- The ability to identify inefficient systems and improve them
- A genuine interest in building and improving a growing food business
Experience helping to scale a hospitality business or manage multiple kitchens would be a major advantage.
ABOUT SAND
SAND is an independent coffee and food concept based in Portsmouth, built around specialty drinks, distinctive food and a strong brand experience.
We’re growing, and this role will play an important part in developing the operational systems behind our food offering as we expand.
We’re looking for someone who wants genuine responsibility and the opportunity to shape how the kitchen operates — rather than simply stepping into an existing Head Chef role.
Location: Portsmouth
Role: Full-time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
To apply, send us your CV along with a short introduction explaining your kitchen management experience and why you’d be interested in joining SAND.
Pay: £28,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
