Job Ref: KGH11940
Branch: Holiday Inn Ashford Central
Location: Holiday Inn Ashford Central, Ashford
Salary/Benefits: £31200 per annum plus benefits and monthly service charge
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Shift pattern: 05:30-23:00
Hours per week: 40
Posted date: 03/07/2026
Closing date: 31/07/2026
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Kitchen Manager to take ownership of our kitchen operation. You’ll lead from the front, driving quality, efficiency and profitability while creating a positive, engaging culture for your team.
Reporting directly to the Hotel Manager, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the kitchen consistently delivers high standards, meets all compliance requirements and plays a key role in the overall success of the hotel.
About the Role
You’ll lead the kitchen function, ensuring it operates efficiently, safely and profitably while delivering consistently high-quality food.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality food that enhances the guest experience.
- Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen team to deliver excellence while embedding company values and culture.
- Reviewing guest feedback regularly and identifying innovative ways to improve food quality and service delivery.
- Managing all kitchen administration, including compliance documentation, audits and third-party contractors.
- Ensuring full compliance with Health, Hygiene and Food Safety regulations, maintaining audit-ready standards at all times.
- Managing stock control, ordering and rotation to minimise waste and maximise gross profit.
- Taking ownership of budgets, controlling costs and delivering against agreed financial targets.
- Partnering with other departments to ensure smooth, joined-up operations that enhance the overall guest experience.
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, training and development of Line Chefs to build a strong and capable team.
About You
You’re a confident kitchen leader who combines strong culinary knowledge with commercial awareness and people leadership. You set high standards and bring out the best in your team.
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Proven experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or in a similar leadership role.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop a team.
- A solid understanding of food safety, health hygiene regulations and compliance requirements.
- Commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and driving profitability.
- The ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards.
- A proactive and solutions-focused mindset, always looking for ways to improve.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- A positive, can-do attitude and a passion for delivering great food and great experiences.
What’s in it for you
- Career development through fully funded apprenticeships and our internal development programme.
- Discounts on hotel stays and a variety of major retailers, restaurants and days out.
- Free use of our gyms, pools, and leisure facilities.
- 24/7 access to wellbeing, financial, and legal support.
Next steps
If you’re shortlisted, we’ll give you a quick call to learn more about you and answer your questions. Candidates who progress will then be invited to the hotel for an in-person interview.
We review applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out. We may close the role once we’ve found the right person.
At Kew Green Hotels, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know at [email protected] - we’re here to support you.
Who are Kew Green Hotels?
Kew Green Hotels is one of the UK’s leading hotel management companies, operating a diverse portfolio of global brands. We’re a people-driven business that’s passionate about performance, guest experience, and creating hotels and teams that make us proud.
Learn more about who we are and what drives us at www.kewgreenhotels.com.
A convenient hotel with restaurant, free parking and close proximity to the Eurostar station at Ashford
Holiday Inn® Ashford - Central hotel is only 2 miles from Ashford International Station.
Regular Eurostar trains travel to Lille, Paris and Brussels, and services to Central London take just 40 minutes. There's easy access to the ferries at Dover and Folkestone via the nearby M20 motorway. Canterbury Cathedral, a World Heritage site, is only 14 miles away, and the adjacent King's Mile is lined with independent shops and charming pubs. Take the family to spot lions, tigers and gorillas on a safari-style trip through Port Lympne Reserve, or explore Leeds Castle on an island in the River Len, both within a short drive. Local businesses cluster conveniently nearby at the Orbital and Eureka business parks. You can host a wedding or an event for up to 125 guests in our 4 onsite meeting suites
