Kitchen Manager

Guild of Students (University of Birmingham) - Venues

This is an exciting time to join our team, as we begin our new partnership with JD Wetherspoons in May 2026. With a fully refurbished, brand-new JD Wetherspoons within the Guild building, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape its future and play a key role from day one.

The role

This role is part of the Venues department which works collectively with colleagues to deliver the Guild’s Food & Beverage operations including, Joe’s Bar (J D Wetherspoon pub), nightclub operations and event security within the Venues Department, within the Engagement Directorate.

Reporting to the Pub Manager, you will take the lead in establishing and managing all aspects of the kitchen operation, including:

• Taking ownership of the smooth, efficient and cost‑effective running of the kitchen, overseeing stock control, food safety, team development and the delivery of key financial targets to create an exceptional experience for students and customers.
• Leading, motivating and developing a high‑performing kitchen team, fostering a safe, positive and supportive working environment where everyone can succeed.
• Maintaining outstanding standards of quality, cleanliness, safety and operational performance (CQSMA), ensuring every dish meets specification and the kitchen remains clean, safe and fully compliant throughout service.

We’re looking for candidates with proven experience in supervising, developing and supporting a kitchen team, alongside Food Safety qualifications and leadership qualifications such as the JDW management academy. You’ll will play a key role in ensuring the JD Wetherspoons food operation @ Joes bar is profitable and consistently meets franchise standards and compliance requirements

Why Join Us?

Join us and be part of an organisation where every day is different and your contribution makes a real difference to the student experience! We offer a great range of benefits including:

• Generous Leave: 21 days annual leave, rising to 26 days after 5 years’ service, plus a Christmas close down period
• Full Sick Pay: From the moment you start working with us.
• Training: A comprehensive suite of training for which you receive full pay
• Pension: Opportunity to join the NEST pension scheme with matched contributions of 4-6% of your salary.
• Benefits: A gift on your birthday, additional days leave for a life milestone event, £100 annual allowance for your personal development, discounts available with UniDays, and membership of University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness, and car breakdown cover.
• Pension: Opportunity to join the NEST pension scheme with matched contributions of 4-6% of your salary.
• Wellbeing: A range of wellbeing benefits including an annual £50 personal Wellbeing Allowance.

We are a Times 100 Best Companies to Work For employer (2021 & 2022) and in our most recent staff survey (April 2025) 81% of our staff said they would recommend this organisation as a good place to work.

The Guild of Students is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all members of the community.

Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd March 2026 at 9.00am.

Please note interviews are provisionally expected to take place on Monday 30th March 2026

To apply and view more information about this role, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Should you need to complete your application in an alternative format, please email staffing@guild.bham.ac.uk