Kitchen Manager

Term: Permanent, 40 hours a week, based on 5 days out of 7.

Location:  Manchester Co-op Live, Connell College, 301 Alan Turing Way, Manchester M11 3BS, once open relocate to M1 2EJ & Co-op Live at Eastlands.

Salary: £45,000 per annum + Bonus

Team: Kitchen, Oak View Group Hospitality

We’re on a mission to create the best live music experience in the UK.

Co-op Live will offer a food and beverage hospitality service that will put us head and shoulders above the crowd as we welcome over 23,500 fans and amazing artists to taste the delicious food and drinks unique to the space in Manchester.

With 32 amazing bars and restaurants and 12 premium lounges and clubs – we’re going to be delivering an exceptional hospitality service for the people of Manchester and beyond. On the menu will be great food seasoned with world class service and all with a planet friendly vibe in the heart of our vibrant community.

Role Purpose

As we gear up to opening our doors in the next 12 months, we’re looking for a Kitchen Manager to join the Food & Beverage Hospitality team to ensure all administration for the kitchen operation runs smoothly and all kitchen staff are fully equipped with the appropriate training they require.

If you are passionate about creating incredible hospitality and events and would love to be part of something so unique, then we want to hear from you!

Role Responsibilities

• Supervise kitchen duties, managing all stock, controlling how food is stored and prepared
• Lead from the front on exceptional customer service 
• Supervise the kitchen staff to deliver quality, timely food and ensure that all customers are happy
• Ensure all food items and products are stored, prepared, and served based on the recipe, preparation, and portion standards
• Order kitchen materials and ingredients based on menus and market demand
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and ensure the use of quality products at competitive prices
• Upload menus and recipes to relevant systems
• Produce, prepare, and distribute allergen information for all events
• Maintain clean working environments and make sure that staff follow preventive maintenance measures
• Work with Health and Safety colleagues to ensure risk assessments are up to date and in place across all kitchens and related to each specific area of the venue
• Risk Assessments are completed and implemented  
• Monitor temperature control equipment and quality of all kitchen equipment
• Maintain and record all delivery temperature checks and record all cook/chill records daily
• Maintain food labelling and date systems and daily checking
• Maintain adequate inventory levels and conduct weekly inventories
• Work closely with Executive team to create menu items, pricing and establishing portion sizes
• Support the team to recruit talented professionals to join the kitchen team and ensure they have a warm welcoming induction into the team
• Train and inspire your team to deliver an efficient food operation
• Produce and distribute staff rotas
• Oversee the training of staff to ensure the safe operation of kitchen equipment and utensils and handling of heavy items and hazardous materials
• Oversee fire training for BOH staff and monitor of all fire prevention equipment
• Manage and monitor waste management system
• Upkeep and continue progress of the kitchen BOH staff training records, ensuring that all staff have relevant up to date qualifications and accurate evidence held
• Ensure Safety Standards are implemented and compliance with food handling and sanitation standards and all applicable laws and regulations
• Operate and maintain all department equipment and report any equipment that is damaged
• Review and adjust administration systems and procedures in the kitchen to ensure their effectiveness 
• Deliver all administration required/setting up systems for pre-opening and mobilisation strategies for all culinary operations, ensuring Co-op Live is ready for opening and continues to be a venue of choice
• Build successful relationships with all relevant venue heads of departments across Co-op Live and OVG Hospitality 

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Basic Food Hygiene qualification essential with Allergen Awareness training
• COSHH Awareness training and knowledge of HACCP
• Working knowledge of all applicable environmental health compliance, sanitation requirements, food preparation guidelines, allergen awareness, safety standards, etc. pertaining to OVG Hospitality and venue services operations
• Excellent communication with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff, suppliers and guests in a clear, professional, and courteous manner which fosters a positive, enthusiastic, and cooperative work environment
• Able to make sound business/operations decisions quickly in a fast paced environment
• Able to understand English verbally and written
• Strong working knowledge of computer applications: Microsoft office, procurement systems, timekeeping systems, kitchen operating systems and staff training applications
• Experience of working in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment
• Lead from the front by creating a team and culture which is focused on delivering the very highest standards
• Experience in planning menus and ordering materials and ingredients
• Familiarisation with a wide variety of recipes
• Administration experience involved in planning and mobilising a large venue and culinary team
• High level of organisational and project management skills
• Knowledge and understanding of staff training requirements for all kitchen positions
• Knowledge and understanding of kitchen risk assessments and implementation
• Previous experience working as a Senior Chef, with hands on exposure of preparing menus, ordering, and preparing a wide range and volume of different recipes
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, stadium or multi-concept venue preferred, dealing with high volume covers
• The role will be pivotal at all key concerts, sporting events and private hires

Desirable

• Advanced Hygiene qualification
• Relevant Health and Safety qualification 

Our Inclusion Commitments
Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK!  

We understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence.  
 
We are committed to creating a great place to work amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.  There is something for everyone at Co-op Live, come and get involved. 

If you do require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need. 

We will consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the required skills necessary to fulfil the role. 
 
Employee Screening and eligibility to work
We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.  

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.