Operations Chef - Essex

Our Lounge Operations Chefs play a pivotal role in the success of our business. Working alongside an Operations Manager, you will manage an area of c.8-10 sites maximum, remaining close to our teams and our customers every day. Your team will be your absolute number 1 priority, spotting amazing talent, celebrating success, and creating a real buzz and a sense of belonging for our team, plus developing great managers and leaders through training, coaching, and mentoring. We're about unrelenting standards, and our ultimate goal is that every customer leaves happy.

What you will be responsible for:

• Relentlessly on the hunt to find and hire great kitchen talent to join Lounge at all levels, focusing on building a high performing and loyal team of Heads Chefs and Sous Chefs.
• Getting the best out of your team by understanding what makes them tick as individuals, ensuring clear priorities are in place for each site, and fostering a culture of honest two-way feedback.
• Frequently visiting your sites to engage in service, assist in training, and coach your kitchen teams.
• Developing the capability and confidence of your Head Chef team through clear development plans and opportunities for skill improvement.
• Knowing the details of our menu specs and kitchen processes inside-out to identify issues or opportunities during visits.
• Ensuring that all kitchens deliver the unique Lounge Commitments, including fair rotas and regular feedback conversations.
• Leading the training and engagement of kitchen teams to deliver seamless menu changes and improved food quality.
• Planning and executing the delivery of 14 Great Kitchen Shifts across your sites.
• Caring about the community your Lounges operate in and partnering with your Ops Manager to connect with the local environment.
• Developing, planning, and executing all operational aspects for your Lounges with attention to detail.
• Conducting high impact visits and being visibly hands-on with kitchen teams.
• Working in partnership daily with your Operational Manager on all operational aspects.
• Delivering daily and weekly Ops Chef expectations, ensuring timely submissions of rotas, orders, and stock takes.
• Reporting on all aspects of kitchen performance, including stocks, safety concerns, and other details.
• Owning the kitchen H&S standards and practices of your sites.
• Delivering on key performance indicators related to customer experience and food safety.

Who Do We Look For?

• You Believe. In yourself and your leadership, in your team, and in delivering a great experience.
• You're honest: You have the strength of character to own up to what's not going right.
• Care for your team: You genuinely care about the people that work for you and keep them motivated.
• Command the detail: You are detail-oriented and deliver uncompromising standards.
• Never settle: You strive for continuous improvement and help your team do the same.
• Do it your way: You lead your team through your own unique style and personality.

Where are you now?

• You are likely a HC, Kitchen Manager, Operations Chef, or Area/Regional Chef in bars or restaurants with fresh food experience.
• You will have had multi-site hospitality experience.
• You balance managing and getting involved in service.
• You have been in senior leadership positions with large teams.
• You are familiar with managing through KPIs and making commercial decisions.
• Your ambition drives you to improve every day.
• You may have come from a front of house or back of house role.
• You know how to manage across competing priorities.

The Good Stuff

• Competitive salary + annual achievable bonus paid 2x a year.
• Opportunity to participate in the Loungers Management Share Plan programme.
• Company car allowance.
• Full expenses and mileage provided.
• Great opportunity for personal development and career progression.
• Annual Ops trip to somewhere sunny.
• 50% discount on food from day 1.
• The best staff party - Loungefest.