Kitchen Manager
Reporting to: House Manager
Salary: £32,500 to £37,500 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Bowden Court
About the role
LHA London is seeking an experienced and confident Kitchen Manager to lead the catering operation at Bowden Court, one of our largest and busiest hostels.
This is a hands on leadership role where you will manage a higher volume kitchen with full responsibility for service delivery.
You will oversee the preparation of fresh meals for a hostel of around 300 residents, with daily catering typically serving 200 to 250 people. You will also supervise and support a small volunteer team to ensure the kitchen runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
If you enjoy working at pace, leading others, and running a well organised kitchen that serves a large community, this role offers both challenge and impact.
About us
LHA London has provided affordable, good quality accommodation since 1940.
Across thirteen hostels, we support nearly 2000 young people living, studying, and working in London. Our catering service plays an important role in resident wellbeing and helps create a welcoming, homely atmosphere.
Key responsibilities'
Kitchen and catering
- Prepare and serve breakfast and dinner daily for 200 to 250 residents
- Plan nutritious, appealing menus suitable for higher volume service
- Lead the day to day running of a busy kitchen
- Maintain consistent quality, presentation, and portion control
- Ensure efficient and timely service
Volunteer supervision
- Lead, guide, and coordinate a small volunteer team
- Delegate tasks clearly and provide hands on support
- Create a positive, respectful, and organised working environment
- Ensure the kitchen is left clean and secure
Stock, suppliers, and budgets
- Manage ordering, deliveries, and stock control for a high volume kitchen
- Monitor usage and minimise waste
- Build effective supplier relationships
- Control food spend and work within budget
- Identify opportunities to improve value for money
Health and safety
- Maintain excellent hygiene and cleanliness standards
- Record daily temperatures and compliance checks
- Ensure full adherence to food safety and health and safety legislation
- Report issues promptly
Working pattern
40 hours per week across five days, including some weekends.
Typical shifts:
- Weekdays: 12pm to 9pm
- Weekends: 7am to 4pm
What we are looking for
You are calm, organised, and confident leading a busy kitchen environment.
You enjoy working with larger numbers and feel comfortable managing higher volume service.
You will bring:
- At least three years experience in a professional kitchen
- Experience in a senior or lead role
- Experience cooking fresh food for larger groups or community settings such as education, care homes, hostels, or similar high volume environments
- Strong stock control and supplier management skills
- Understanding of budgets and food cost control
- Solid knowledge of food hygiene and safety compliance
- Experience supervising volunteers or small teams
- Ability to stay focused and organised during busy services
- A proactive and solution focused mindset
- A passion for preparing quality meals for a large community
Why join us
- Additional day off for your birthday after one year of service
- Free onsite meals while working
- Quarterly employee recognition awards
- Opportunity to join the Employee Forum
- Enhanced pension contributions with employer matching up to 10 percent
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme and Season Ticket Loan
- Death in service cover
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
- Ongoing training and development
- Regular staff events
If you are ready to lead a larger scale kitchen and play a key role in the daily experience of hundreds of residents, Bowden Court offers a rewarding and fast paced environment where you can make a real difference.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,500.00-£37,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Experience:
- professional kitchen: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
