Head Chef
£34,000 – £38,000 / year
Salary
Within the market range
Ineligible
Going rate
Occupation not currently eligible
This role may not meet Skilled Worker requirements
SOC 1222 is not currently on the eligible-occupation list, so a Skilled Worker visa is unlikely here. Check the occupation eligibility rules and confirm with the employer.
This could also be SOC 5434 (Chefs) or SOC 5436 (Catering and bar managers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
What's the opportunity?
As Head Chef / Kitchen Manager, you'll be at the heart of the business, responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen and ensuring every dish meets our standards.
You'll combine hands-on kitchen leadership with the commercial know-how needed to deliver a successful food operation.
You'll be responsible for:
Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen team to deliver their best.
Taking ownership of food quality, presentation and consistency across every service.
Keeping the kitchen organised, efficient and ready for busy periods.
Managing stock, ordering and waste to help control costs and support strong GP performance.
Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen standards.
Planning rotas and managing kitchen resources to meet customer demand.
Coaching and training team members, helping them build their skills and confidence.
Working closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to deliver a great customer experience.
Identifying opportunities to improve the food offer, grow sales and drive business performance.
Creating a positive kitchen culture where the team feels supported, motivated and proud of what they deliver.
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who knows their way around a busy kitchen and has the leadership skills to bring a team together.
You'll ideally have:
Previous experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef or in a similar senior kitchen role.
Experience working in a busy pub, restaurant or high-volume kitchen.
A hands-on approach and the confidence to lead from the front.
Strong people-management and communication skills.
A passion for great food and consistently high standards.
A good understanding of food safety, hygiene and allergen management.
Experience managing stock, waste, labour and kitchen costs.
Commercial awareness and an understanding of how the kitchen contributes to the success of the wider business.
The ability to stay calm, organised and positive during busy services.
A genuine interest in developing people and helping them progress.
And there's plenty in it for you...
At Greene King, we're passionate about helping our people build careers they're proud of.
You'll have access to:
Career development opportunities across Greene King and our family of brands.
Training and development at every level, including apprenticeships.
33% employee discount and 15% for loved ones across our brands.
50% employee discount and 25% for loved ones at Greene King Inns.
Free Employee Assistance Programme.
Enhanced family-friendly maternity and paternity support.
Menopause Friendly Employer.
Refer a Friend scheme – up to £1,500.
Wagestream.
Retail discounts, including savings with Superdrug and Three Mobile.
Greene King is the country's leading pub company and brewer. With over 220 years of history and a 39,000-strong team, we're on a mission to pour happiness into lives and become the pride of great British hospitality.
CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME, SAFE AND THAT THEY BELONG
We aim to embed inclusion into every decision we make – across our people, customers, communities, suppliers, and operations. We want to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to thrive.
Bring your passion. Lead the kitchen. Make The Testwood yours.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Greene King Retail Services Limited, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors (SOC 1222) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~50k in sample- Offer £34,000–38,000
- Middle half £29,224–38,792
- Median £33,592
The range sits inside the market's middle half (£29,224–38,792), so this is typical pay for the occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Greene King Retail Services LimitedAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Greene King Retail Services Limited holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
Skilled Worker roles must clear both the general salary threshold and the occupation-specific going rate. See our occupation eligibility guide for the current figures.