Cafe jobs in Cheadle Hulme North

£34,300–£36,400 per year + Performance Bonus
Full-Time | Marple Bridge

A Kitchen Manager Role With a Proper Handover

We're looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager to join us at Libby's Bread & Wine — and there's a slightly different story behind this vacancy.

Our current Kitchen Manager isn't leaving.

At the end of this year, they'll be stepping into a new Executive role across our hospitality group, with responsibility for wider food development, standards and operations.

Before that happens, we're looking for the right person to join them at Libby's.

You'll initially work side-by-side, getting to know the kitchen, the team, our food and the way we operate. Together, your focus will be on getting Libby's performing exactly where we want it before responsibility gradually begins to transfer across.

As our current Kitchen Manager moves further into their Executive role, you'll take more ownership until ultimately:

Libby's becomes your kitchen to run.

Rather than being thrown into a new kitchen and expected to figure everything out from day one, you'll have an experienced person alongside you, a proper handover and the time to build relationships with your team before taking full responsibility.

About Libby's

Libby's is an independent bakery, café, restaurant and wine bar in the heart of Marple Bridge.

During the day we're a busy café and bakery specialising in artisan bread, bakes, breakfast, brunch and deli-style food.

Our kitchen operates 8am–3pm Sunday to Wednesday and 8am–9pm Thursday to Saturday, giving us a very different working pattern from many traditional restaurant kitchens.

So if you're an experienced Kitchen Manager or Head Chef who's become tired of finishing late every night or working endless doubles, this role offers the opportunity to continue running a serious kitchen while getting more of your life back.

What You'll Be Taking On

This is much more than a cooking role.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in running a clean, organised, commercially successful kitchen with a happy and well-developed team.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading the kitchen team and managing day-to-day services
• Maintaining consistently high food and presentation standards
• Making sure prep, systems and specifications are followed
• Building a positive, professional and accountable kitchen culture
• Recruiting, training and developing the kitchen team
• Managing rotas and kitchen labour
• Stock control, ordering and supplier management
• Managing GP, margins, portion control and waste
• Maintaining exceptional cleanliness and hygiene standards
• Food safety, allergens, compliance and due diligence
• Identifying opportunities to make the kitchen more efficient
• Working closely with the wider management and Executive team

Initially, you'll share many of these responsibilities with the current Kitchen Manager.

As the handover progresses, they'll become yours.

Who We're Looking For

You may currently be a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or experienced Sous Chef ready for the next step.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has strong experience in a busy fresh-food kitchen
• Is highly organised and enjoys putting good systems into practice
• Can lead a team calmly and confidently
• Takes cleanliness and food safety seriously
• Understands GP, stock, labour and waste
• Enjoys training and developing people
• Can maintain standards without creating an unpleasant kitchen culture
• Is comfortable taking accountability for performance
• Leads from the front when service gets busy
• Wants to take genuine ownership of a kitchen

You don't need to arrive with an ego or a desire to change everything.

In fact, we'd much rather you spend time understanding what's already working before deciding what could be better.

Why Join Libby's?

We know experienced kitchen managers have choices, so we've worked hard to create an environment that offers more than just a salary.

A Better Hospitality Lifestyle

With daytime-only service Sunday to Wednesday and evening service on just three nights of the week, the working pattern is very different from a traditional restaurant.

You won't be expected to spend five or six nights every week in the kitchen.

A Genuine Route to Ownership

This isn't a vague promise of progression.

There's a planned transition already happening.

You'll work alongside the person currently running the kitchen, learn the operation properly and gradually take over as they move into their Executive role.

And You'll Get:

• £34,300–£36,400 salary, depending on experience
• Performance-related bonus
• A working pattern with only three evening services each week
• Staff meals on shift
• Unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks while working
• Generous staff discount across our businesses
• Discounted gym membership
• Company pension
• Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day off
• Ongoing training and development
• Support from an experienced Executive food lead and wider management team
• Genuine opportunities to progress as our hospitality group grows

Where This Role Leads

The first stage is simple:

Work together and get Libby's performing brilliantly.

You'll learn the operation, build trust with the team and work alongside our current Kitchen Manager to make sure the systems, standards and structure are exactly where they need to be.

Then the handover begins.

As they move into their Executive position, they'll spend progressively less time managing Libby's day-to-day. You'll take progressively more responsibility.

They'll still be there as a source of support — but they won't be there to run your kitchen for you.

The goal is for you to become the person ultimately accountable for the people, standards, numbers and performance of Libby's kitchen.

And we want you to feel like it's yours.

Interested?

If you're an experienced kitchen leader who wants real responsibility, a better work-life balance and the opportunity to take over an established kitchen with a proper supported transition, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply with your CV and tell us a little about yourself.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £34,300.00-£36,400.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Experience:

• Head Chef: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person