Sous Chef

This new venture is our most significant commercial launch in a decade, and the Sous Chef will play an important role in helping build the kitchen operation from day one.

You will support the Head Chef in launching and running the kitchen for a new all-day Oxford Road bar and social venue, delivering a food offer that supports the rhythm of the site from morning coffee and lunch through to early evening, events, group bookings and pre-gig trade. This is not a fine-dining kitchen, but it is a serious commercial food operation where pace, quality, consistency, organisation and teamwork will really matter.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you will help set up the kitchen, build its routines, support food preparation and service, and help maintain the standards that make the venue successful. You will lead kitchen shifts, support junior colleagues and studying staff, and help make sure food quality, kitchen organisation, food safety, allergens, stock control, waste and service speed are consistently well managed.

This is a strong development opportunity for someone who wants to grow into a senior kitchen leadership role. You will gain experience of a new opening, commercial kitchen controls, team leadership, service delivery and the wider role food plays in a busy bar and social venue. Just as importantly, you will help create the kitchen culture from the start: organised, calm, safe, supportive and proud of the food being served.

The food offer will be central to the success of the venue. It needs to work hard commercially, support the bar, deliver value for students and be strong enough to compete on Oxford Road. As Sous Chef, you will help balance speed with quality, consistency with creativity, and affordability with margin.

Every commercial pound generated by the venue goes back into supporting students at the University of Manchester. That makes this a Sous Chef role where good food, strong teamwork, safe working and student impact all matter.

You will work as part of the wider Commercial team, alongside colleagues in Manchester Academy Venues, Bar 532 & Kitchen and Corridor Coffee, contributing to a growing Union hospitality operation with ambition beyond a single site. This is a rare opportunity for a hands-on, ambitious Sous Chef to be part of a major new opening and help build a kitchen with real purpose behind it.

Details

Salary: £28,000 – £32,000 per year

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week 

Eligibility: Open to applicants with relevant skills and experience who are eligible to work in the UK. A Personal Licence is essential.

Recruitment Timeline

Applications opened: 16/07/2026

Applications close: 28/07/2026 23:59pm

Interviews: 04/08/2026

Role Commencing: 01/09/2026

We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Once the vacancy has closed, we’re unable to accept late applications to ensure a fair process for all candidates.

Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make any further changes. Please ensure you are happy with your responses before submitting.