Operations Chef

Posting date:	06 January 2026
Salary:	£55,000 per year
Additional salary information:	£55k DOE, car/cash alternative and great benefits
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	05 February 2026
Location:	BB2 7LB
Company:	Daniel Thwaites PLC
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	27f4da0f5de4466d980b

Summary

We're looking for an Operations Chef to oversee, support, lead and coordinate kitchen performance across multiple Thwaites sites, ensuring all food is consistently prepared and presented to the highest standards. In this role you will lead from the front, in service, by providing practical support and coaching to kitchen teams, maintaining full compliance with company procedures while driving performance to exceed guest expectations and key business KPIs.

This role will be across either our Hotels or Inns divisions, though this may develop into working across both divisions to suit the business needs. Please note the role is field based, travelling widely across the estate and often staying away from home several nights of the week including working evenings, weekends and bank holidays, so you can be physically present where support is needed most.

Your day to day

As Operations Chef, you live and breathe great food and great kitchens across the Thwaites estate. You will be on the road – checking in with sites, understanding the business needs, and getting close to prep so you know how ready each kitchen is for the day ahead. You’re in whites in kitchens – tasting dishes, checking specs, helping teams sharpen consistency pace.

During busy services you’re on the pass or beside it where needed – steadying the team, coaching standards, and modelling calm, accurate execution. Between services you’re reviewing performance and GP, planning and delivering training, supporting menu launches, and working with Head Chefs and General Managers to keep food standards aligned with the Thwaites food strategy and values.

Your specific responsibilities will include the following:

• Supporting Head Chefs and kitchen leaders in running effective services, building confidence and capability through example and coaching
• Translating the Thwaites food strategy into clear, practical expectations for kitchens across the estate, working closely with the Head of Food and Operations.
• Supporting the implementation of menu changes, rollouts and seasonal updates, helping to design and deliver new dishes and menus and M
• Monitoring and helping to create regular specials – ensuring kitchens are trained, briefed and operationally ready
• Working with Head of Food and the People Team ensure succession and development plans are in place and highlight training areas across kitchen brigades
• Ensuring dishes are delivered to agreed specifications, with accurate cooking, consistent seasoning and thoughtful presentation with Fresh, home cooked food, using local and regional suppliers
• Taking an active role in supporting all kitchens to meet the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and allergen management.
• Coaching teams to complete all due diligence, weekly stock audits, GP returns and compliance records accurately and on time.
• Supporting sites in preparation for EHO and internal safety audits, ensuring that standards are not just achieved but sustained.
• Supporting the identification and recruitment of strong kitchen talent, aligned to the company’s values and standards.
• Supporting Head Chefs and General Managers in delivering budgeted GP and managing food margins through robust stock, portion and waste controls.
• Working with the Head of Food and Procurement to support the relationship with key suppliers, ensuring quality, reliability and full allergen compliance
• Support kitchens in maintaining stable, repeatable processes so that food quality is protected even at volume.
• Be a champion of Team Culture & Engagement by Foster an environment where kitchen teams feel supported, engaged and constructively challenged to improve. Promote positive, collaborative relationships between Back of House and Front of House teams.
• Bring Innovation to Menu Execution & Quality. Use guest feedback, sales mix and penetration data to identify where execution can be improved or where dishes need refining.

Who Are We Looking for?

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and engage teams across multiple sites.
• A passionate ‘foodie’, driven by delivering fantastic food on for all guests, at all occasions
• Able to demontrate first class customer care when dealing with both internal and external customers.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring that outputs are of a consistently high standard.
• Excellent organisation skills, gained in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• Flexible, adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity – able to step into different kitchens and quickly add value.
• A hands-on, solution-oriented individual and able to see a way through the most difficult of situations.

Experience required

• Worked at Head Chef, Executive Chef Multi-Site Chef or Operations Chef level in a similar multi-site environment for at least 5 years.
• Strong technical ability across all aspects of food and culinary skills, with extensive product knowledge.
• Experience of working to refined standards (2–3 rosette or equivalent desirable).
• Experience with volume businesses, able to balance quality and throughput.
• Business acumen regarding stocks, GP, labour and sales, and how they connect to food performance.
• Able to work within a framework, structure and process while still bringing creativity and initiative.
• Food Safety Level 3 (Level 4 desirable or willingness to undertake qualification).
• Comfortable travelling extensively across the estate and being away from home 3–4 nights per week as part of a field-based, multi-site support role.

In return, we are offering a rewarding role with scope for career progression along with;

• Wagestream - the ability to access up to 40% of your wages as you earn them each week
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 after 5 years)
• Health cash plan and Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
• Discounted accommodation, food and drink in our beautiful properties across the country
• Pension & Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Apprenticeships available
• Long service awards, including free meals and free stays with your friends or family
• Bespoke training and development programmes accessible to all
• An engaging & supportive work environment