About Coco Tang
Coco Tang is a unique, independent multi-concept brand that has defined the Nottingham hospitality scene since 2008. Our flagship venue is a hybrid destination: an authentic Vietnamese Kitchen, Speciality Coffee Roastery, and Oriental Bakery by day, and a sophisticated speakeasy and nightclub by night. We are obsessed with detail, authenticity, and creating an escape from the city. Now, we are bringing this same level of passion and high-energy hospitality to Manchester for our first historic phase of expansion out of Nottingham.
The Manchester Site
Our brand-new Manchester venue has a very clear "upward" energy—starting with a casual, high-traffic Vietnamese Café on the ground floor and transitioning into a more premium casual Restaurant, Private Dining, and Late-Night Bar upstairs.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a hands-on Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to spearhead our back-of-house operations. Working alongside the General Manager and the brand owner, you will be the absolute anchor of the kitchen, tasked with building a massive BOH team from scratch for this landmark opening. You will manage a high-volume, multi-level food operation that demands both rapid daytime execution and premium evening dining consistency.
- The Launch Chef: Oversee the middle and final stages of the kitchen setup, including heavy recruitment for a large brigade, equipment testing, and supplier integration.
- Multi-Menu Mastery: Manage the culinary output for a multi-concept site, maintaining impeccable standards across our high-traffic ground-floor Vietnamese Café, premium upstairs restaurant, and private dining events.
- Compliance & Safety: Maintain 100% compliance with food safety, HACCP, allergen management, and kitchen health & safety regulations, keeping the kitchen audit-ready at all times.
- Culture Builder: Hire, train, and retain a disciplined kitchen team, instilling a culture of mutual respect, cleanliness, and an obsession with presentation.
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven High-Volume Experience: At least 2–3 years as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume, fresh-food environment. Experience with Asian cuisines is highly advantageous.
- Financial Literacy: Highly proficient in managing kitchen KPIs. You know how to control GP%, accurately track food costs, minimise wastage, and manage a rota to hit labor % targets.
- Operational Grit: You lead from the pass, not from an office. You thrive under pressure during peak hours, setting a relentless pace for a large, newly formed kitchen team.
- The "Detail" Architect: You possess an obsessive eye for consistency. You ensure that every bowl of pho, small plate, and main dish leaves the kitchen looking pristine and tasting authentic.
- A "Calm in the Chaos" Mentor: You run a calm, organised, and professional kitchen. You earn the respect of your brigade by being the steadiest person in the room and a true mentor to your junior chefs.
What We Offer
- Highly competitive base salary.
- Share of the site service charge scheme.
- 28 days holiday per year.
- Company pension scheme.
- Free meals on shift and generous staff discounts.
- The opportunity to shape a landmark Manchester launch with genuine career progression as the brand expands.
How to Apply
If you are a disciplined kitchen leader with an obsession for food detail and the grit to run a multi-concept powerhouse, we want to hear from you. Submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why you are the perfect fit to lead the kitchen at Coco Tang Manchester.
Pay: £34,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
