Kitchen Manager
Be part of something greater.
- Job reference: SDX/TP/736016/154564
- Location: London
- Job type: Full Time - 40 hours a week
- Salary: upto £40,000 per annum plus Sodexo Benefits
- Closing date: 11 March 2026
About the role
Job Title: Kitchen Manager (Daytime Café & Events)
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week | 5 days over 7 | Typically 8:00am–4:00pm (flexibility on scheduled event days)
The role
Sodexo Live! is looking for a hands-on Kitchen Manager to lead the daytime kitchen operation at the Royal Academy of Arts, one of London’s most iconic venues.
This is a brilliant opportunity for a strong Senior Sous ready to step up or an existing Kitchen Manager/Head Chef from a quality café or premium retail food background. You’ll run a fast-paced daytime service, lead and develop the BOH team, and keep standards, compliance, and consistency exceptionally high while helping shape a fresh, modern café offer.
Why this role
Mostly daytime hours
(typically 8am–4pm)
Prestigious central London venue
(Piccadilly)
Real ownership
of kitchen standards, team performance, and day-to-day operation
Menu input
and opportunity to develop seasonal dishes/specials
Strong Sodexo Live! support, training, and progression opportunities
Event days are scheduled
and planned around business needs
What you’ll do
Lead the BOH team day-to-day: prep, service, standards, pace, and consistency
Deliver a high-quality café offer with excellent presentation and attention to detail
Maintain full compliance with food safety, allergens, HACCP, and health & safety
Manage ordering, stock control, rota planning, and waste reduction
Coach, train, and develop chefs and kitchen porters—creating a positive, high-performing kitchen culture
Support menu development, specials, and continuous improvement
Work closely with the General Manager and FOH to deliver a seamless guest experience
Support event days when scheduled (planned in advance)
What we’re looking for
Experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Senior Sous, or strong Junior Sous/Senior Sous ready to step up
Background in a quality, high-volume environment (premium café, retail food, hospitality venue, hotel, contract catering)
Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen controls, and HACCP
Confident team leader who can organise, prioritise, and keep calm under pressure
A hands-on manager who enjoys running service and setting standards
Passion for fresh food, consistency, and guest experience
What we offer
Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job, it’s a chance to be part of something greater. Benefits include:
Mental health and wellbeing support platform
Employee Assistance Programme (legal/financial/personal support)
Health and wellbeing app with access to a 24hr virtual GP
Sodexo Discounts Scheme and Salary Finance benefits
Sodexo Retirement Plan and Death-in-Service benefit
Learning, development, and progression opportunities
Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities
Full training and protective uniform provided
About Sodexo Live!
At Sodexo Live!, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
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KEY BENEFITS
-
Advice and guidance
Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it. -
Pension Plan
Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan. -
Wellbeing support
Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7. -
Generous leave
For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge. -
Discounts and savings
Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme -
Virtual GP
24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.
Social Impact
Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.
We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.
London, United Kingdom, W1J0BD
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