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The world is yours with Meliá
Joining Meliá is to embark on a journey without borders, where your potential to grow, develop, and inspire has no limits. It's knowing that the world is yours — with opportunities to build your career across destinations worldwide — all while being part of one warm, supportive, and passionate family.
Sous Chef
Department: Kitchen / Culinary<br /> Location: Melia White House<br /> Reports to: Executive Head Chef / Food & Beverage Manager<br /> Package: Competitive Salary + Service Charge
About Meliá Hotels International
Meliá Hotels International is one of the world’s leading hotel companies, with a presence across more than 40 countries and a portfolio of over 350 hotels worldwide. Joining Meliá means becoming part of a truly international hospitality group, with opportunities to grow and develop your career across the UK and destinations around the world.
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary plus generous service charge
- Global career opportunities across more than 350 hotels worldwide
- Exclusive hotel rates for you, your friends & family with Meliá Hotels Worldwide
- Company pension scheme
- Refer-a-Friend bonus (£500 upon successful completion of probation)
- 28 days' holiday including bank holidays
- Health Cash Plan & discounted dental cover through HSF
- Unlimited access to Meliá's global learning platform (eMeliá)
- Career development and internal promotion opportunities
- Recognition and rewards programmes
- High-street discounts through Perks at Work
- Complimentary meals, beverages and uniform laundry whilst on duty
Mission
As Sous Chef, you will support the Executive Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen operations, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, service and operational efficiency. You will lead and develop the kitchen team, oversee standards across outlets and take responsibility for the department in the absence of the Executive Head Chef.
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Key Responsibilities – Operational Excellence
- Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation and take responsibility for the department in the absence of the Executive Head Chef.
- Ensure all kitchen outlets operate efficiently in line with company standards, concepts, policies and procedures.
- Monitor food quality, presentation and service standards, providing constructive feedback and supporting continuous improvement.
- Conduct regular kitchen inspections with the Executive Head Chef and F&B Manager, ensuring hygiene standards are maintained and maintenance issues are reported promptly.
- Monitor deliveries, checking the quality, quantity and accuracy of goods received against orders.
- Support menu costing, stock takes, food cost control, waste management and accurate completion of transfers and house accounts.
- Lead, supervise and develop Chefs and Kitchen Porters, ensuring productivity, safety, training and performance standards are maintained.
- Monitor payroll, utilities, equipment use and departmental costs, supporting efficient operations and budget control.
- Work with the Executive Chef and F&B management to identify market trends, improve products, maximise revenue and support business objectives.
- Maintain effective operational procedures, records, reports and training practices, ensuring compliance with food safety, health & safety and company requirements.
What we're looking for
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a Sous Chef or similar senior kitchen role within a 4 or 5-star hotel or high-volume restaurant.
- Proven experience leading and developing kitchen teams.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and HACCP requirements.
- Experience managing food quality, presentation and service standards across multiple outlets.
- Good understanding of menu costing, stock control, food cost and waste management.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to work under pressure.
- Experience managing kitchen operations, deliveries and supplier requirements.
- Good financial awareness and understanding of payroll, productivity and departmental cost control.
- Excellent communication skills with a collaborative and hands-on leadership approach.
- Professional culinary qualification or recognised cooking certification is desirable.
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Because belonging to the great Meliá family is being VIP
At Meliá, our people are at the heart of everything we do. From entry-level roles to senior leadership, everyone contributes something unique. We are all Very Inspiring People, connected by passion, warmth, and a commitment to creating exceptional experiences — and that includes you.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Meliá Hotels International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and accessible workplace for all. Our differences make us stronger and help us build a responsible present and a sustainable future.
Eligibility to work in the UK is required.
If you want to become a Very Inspiring Person, apply today and start your journey with Meliá.
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