Kitchen Manager

Job Title: Kitchen Manager

Location: Whitwell, Worksop

Hours: full time

Salary: £13.90ph

About Whitwell Park

Whitwell Park is a warm and welcoming 34-bed residential nursing service located in the heart of Whitwell, with excellent access to public transport and local amenities. We are passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care and creating a home where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the kitchen team, ensuring the provision of high-quality, nutritious, and appetising meals that meet the dietary, cultural, and individual needs of residents. The Kitchen Manager will maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, stock control, and budget management while creating a positive dining experience that promotes health, wellbeing, and resident satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations

• Plan, prepare, and oversee the delivery of nutritious meals, snacks, and beverages.
• Develop varied seasonal menus that cater for residents' preferences and dietary requirements.
• Ensure meals are presented attractively and served in a timely manner.
• Monitor food quality and consistency at all times.
• Maintain adequate staffing levels within the kitchen.

Resident Experience

• Consult with residents, relatives, and care staff regarding menu choices and meal satisfaction.
• Support individual dietary requirements including allergies, intolerances, texture-modified diets, and religious or cultural preferences.
• Promote a positive mealtime experience that enhances residents' wellbeing.

Leadership and Team Management

• Recruit, train, supervise, and motivate kitchen staff.
• Conduct regular staff supervision, performance reviews, and training.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.
• Ensure team compliance with all company policies and procedures.

Food Safety and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Food Safety Act requirements, Environmental Health standards, and HACCP procedures.
• Maintain accurate food safety records, temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and audits.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained and safely operated.
• Lead and support inspections from regulatory bodies and environmental health officers.

Budget and Stock Control

• Manage food purchasing and supplier relationships.
• Monitor stock levels and minimise waste.
• Control food costs while maintaining meal quality.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and adherence to agreed budgets.

Health & Safety

• Promote a culture of safety within the kitchen.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Report and investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses.
• Conduct regular risk assessments within the kitchen environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, or similar leadership role.
• Experience working within a care home, healthcare, hospitality, or catering environment.
• Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification (or willingness to obtain).
• Strong knowledge of nutrition and specialist diets.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Good organisational and time management abilities.
• Budgeting and stock control experience.
• Strong communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience working within residential care settings.
• HACCP qualification.
• Catering qualification (NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, or equivalent).
• Understanding of CQC standards and regulations relating to nutrition and hydration.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Warmth, compassion, and respect for older people.
• A commitment to delivering excellent resident-centred care through catering services.
• Reliability, accountability, and professionalism.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• A positive and proactive attitude.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work calmly under pressure.

Our Values

The Kitchen Manager is expected to promote and demonstrate:

• Warmth and Friendship – creating welcoming dining experiences.
• Optimism and Future – embracing innovation and continuous improvement.
• Honesty – maintaining transparency and integrity.
• Enterprise – finding creative solutions to meet residents' needs.
• Accountability – taking ownership of standards and outcomes.
• Respect – valuing the dignity, preferences, and choices of every resident.
• Trust – building confidence with residents, families, colleagues, and professionals.

This role is subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.