Job Ref: THW8817
Branch: The Fleece, Cirencester
Location: The Fleece, Cirencester
Salary/Benefits: Excellent salary, share of gratuities, Bonus and great company benefits
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Hours per week: 48
Posted date: 09/09/2025
Closing date: 23/10/2025
We're looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team in our busy Inn
You will be responsible for a diverse team, cooking from fresh and serving the highest standard of food. Our kitchen could be expected to deliver around one thousand meals per week including breakfast, lunch, dinner, events and room service.
Your day to day;
* You will be responsible for ensuring that ingredients are stored, prepared, cooked and presented to the highest standard and meets our guests' requirements, complying with food safety guidelines
* Ensuring a clean and hygienic kitchen environment is maintained at all times. Following food safety management procedures and keeping the necessary records that meet internal and external standards
* Development of all menu items and specials, reviewing and refreshing dishes in line with business requirements and other external factors
* Use provided technology to aid menu planning, purchasing and safety procedures
* Collaborate with the Inn's leadership team to ensure a safe environment for both guests and staff
* You will constantly focus on improving the performance of your team and yourself, consistently achieving targets and delivering results
Who are we looking for?
You will be able to demonstrate a keen business sense, producing menu items and directing a team in line with commercial and customer requirements delivering the highest level of quality.
As Head Chef, you will be someone with a proven track record of designing rotas that allow you to forecast and manage labour costs. You must understand the need to consider team characteristics and their collective productivity, looking to improve and deliver standards in the most efficient way possible.
You will be comfortable collaborating with other senior chefs in the group, sharing best practices in recruitment, retention and developing talented individuals.
From your experience you will be able to identify ways that business strategy, customer profile, culture and constraints influence the development of creative, profitable and competitive menus. You will be able to foresee market and business scenarios that present risks and opportunities to the business.
Someone who can set measurable, challenging goals for all team members, finding ways to improve staff' knowledge and their approach, coaching and mentoring the kitchen team. Experience of delivering technical training and development content would be beneficial.
You will have a grasp of the principles of supply chain management, waste management, sustainable procurement and working practices in the kitchen. Understanding the principles of profit and loss and recognising how you can support the overall financial performance of the business through an efficient operation, building on past experience to achieve monthly and annual budgets.
In return, we are offering a rewarding role with scope for career progression along with;
* A competitive salary, negotiable dependent on experience
* Wagestream - the ability to access up to 40% of your wages as you earn them each week
* 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years)
* Health cash plan
* Generous employee discounts
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
* Apprenticeships available
* Life assurance
* Bespoke training programmes accessible to all
* An engaging supportive work environment
Found at the heart of elegant Cirencester, The Fleece is a collection of grade II listed buildings that create a charming inn. Housing a locals bar with a great atmosphere, an elegant restaurant showcasing the regions best produce and 28 characterful modern bedrooms for guests to retire to. A dedicated team provide an excellent service to guests whether that be hosting celebrations or enjoying a weekend enjoying the Cotswolds. Owned by Daniel Thwaites, The Fleece is perfect for someone looking for a supportive work environment, amongst the busy bustle of an historic market town.