PITCH Middlesbrough is recruiting an experienced Kitchen Manager to shape, scale and lead our kitchen operation. This role combines creative menu development with strong team leadership, commercial management, food safety compliance and the implementation of efficient, repeatable systems suitable for a high‑turnover, quick‑service environment. You will work closely with venue management and group colleagues to deliver a compelling food offer that complements our lively sports‑bar setting, drives sales and supports the long‑term franchise model. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Lead, recruit, train and develop the kitchen team, building a culture of pace, discipline, teamwork and accountability. Coach the team in real time during service, ensuring consistency in speed, quality and presentation. Conduct performance reviews, monitor productivity and support team engagement and retention. Write effective rotas, manage labour planning and ensure adequate coverage for peak trading and major sporting events. Operational Excellence Deliver fast, efficient and consistent food service in a high‑volume, quick‑turn environment (boxed food, collection model). Maintain and enforce standardised recipes, prep systems, build specifications and service flows. Ensure temperature control, portion accuracy and presentation standards are upheld on every shift. Oversee all opening/closing procedures, stock rotation, production planning and kitchen organisation. Menu Development & Innovation Create and refine menus aligned with the PITCH brand, seasonal availability and operational efficiency. Work with directors to develop dishes that balance creativity, profitability and ease of execution. Produce clear menu specs and documentation suitable for future franchise rollout. Commercial Performance Manage and achieve food cost targets, GP percentages, waste reduction and stock accuracy. Conduct order planning, supplier management and product quality checks. Implement portion control, usage tracking and efficient prep methods to support profitability. Food Safety, Compliance & Administration Ensure full compliance with HACCP, allergen protocols, COSHH and all health & safety requirements. Maintain accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, delivery checks, storage labelling and audit‑ready documentation. Complete kitchen administration including ordering, supplier reconciliation, rota input, stock reports and performance updates for the management team. Equipment & Maintenance Ensure all equipment is used safely, maintained correctly and fit for purpose. Coordinate repairs promptly and optimise kitchen layout and workflow for speed, safety and efficiency. Collaboration with Group Functions Work with Pneuma Group marketing teams to support promotions, event menus and cohesive brand presentation. Support the wider group in building scalable kitchen systems for future PITCH franchise expansion. Person Specification Significant experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef or senior cook in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment such as sports bars, casual dining, pubs or branded concepts. Strong leader with proven ability to motivate teams, manage performance and maintain standards under pressure. Commercially aware, with excellent understanding of food costs, margins, menu engineering and stock management. High personal standards for food quality, speed and consistency, suited to a lively, sport‑focused environment. Organised, dependable and disciplined — able to manage stock, compliance, rotas and operational systems with precision. Demonstrable knowledge of HACCP, allergens, food safety regulations and licensing requirements. Adaptable and flexible — available to work evenings, weekends and major sporting fixtures. Values‑driven, aligned with Pneuma Group’s commitment to team wellbeing, customer experience and responsible service. Experience with ordering platforms, stock control systems and rota tools (desirable). Experience in multi‑site or branded operations and/or supporting scalable system design (desirable). What We Offer At Pneuma, we’re committed to creating a supportive, rewarding environment where our people can thrive. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer: Healthcare Cash Plan Tech Purchase Scheme Cycle to Work Scheme Income Protection Critical Illness & Life Insurance Virtual GP service Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Discounts & Cashback Platform Birthday Day Off A supportive, values‑led culture focused on wellbeing, collaboration and personal growth How to Apply If you are an ambitious, energetic and experienced chef who thrives in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment — and want to play a key role in shaping a brand‑new site with franchise potential — we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience, suitability and availability.