Beckenham
About Sweet Jerk We’re Sweet Jerk—a family-owned Caribbean restaurant bringing bold flavours, vibrant vibes, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere to Beckenham High Street. Since opening three months ago, we’ve proudly earned 5-star reviews from every single customer, thanks to our commitment to authentic flavours, exceptional service, and a strong team spirit. At Sweet Jerk, our core values are community, passion, quality, and positivity. We believe in celebrating every plate and creating memorable experiences for every guest. If you’re obsessed with all things hospitality and food, thrive in a fast-paced kitchen, and want to help shape an exciting, growing brand, then you’re the person we’ve been looking for! The Opportunity We’re on the hunt for a Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to join our small but mighty team at this exciting stage of our journey. With a menu revamp on the horizon, a buzzing location in the heart of Beckenham, and a chance to leave your mark on a growing brand, this is the perfect role for someone ready to step up and make a big impact. As Kitchen Manager, you’ll be the heartbeat of our kitchen, responsible for leading the team, ensuring the highest standards in food quality, and keeping our kitchen running like clockwork. While our dishes are more line-cook style (think Nando’s, but with a Caribbean twist), your role will go far beyond the pass. From training staff and managing inventory to being a cultural ambassador for Sweet Jerk, you’ll play a huge part in our success. What You’ll Be Doing - Lead the kitchen team: Oversee daily kitchen operations, motivate staff, and ensure every meal is up to Sweet Jerk’s exceptional standards. - Champion training and development: Train new and existing team members to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency. - Inventory and waste management: Keep our kitchen running smoothly by managing stock levels, reducing waste, and placing cost-effective orders. - Ensure compliance: Uphold food safety and hygiene regulations to maintain a safe and professional kitchen environment. - Rota management: Create team schedules that balance staff availability and business needs. - Step in when needed: Fill in for absences, jump on the line during busy shifts, and lead by example in the kitchen. - Drive culture: Be the ultimate Sweet Jerk culture carrier, embodying our values and creating a positive, collaborative kitchen vibe. What We’re Looking For We need someone who’s not just experienced but obsessed with all things food, hospitality, and customer service. You’ll be: - Experienced: At least 3 years of kitchen experience and 1 year in a leadership or management role. - Organised and efficient: A pro at managing rotas, inventory, and budgets without breaking a sweat. - A leader: Capable of inspiring and motivating your team to deliver their best every day. - Knowledgeable: While Caribbean cuisine experience is a bonus, a passion for bold, flavourful food is essential. - Customer-focused: Always thinking about the customer experience and how to wow them through food and service. - Flexible: Happy to work evenings, weekends, and adapt to the needs of a growing restaurant. Why Join Us? - Be part of something special: Help build a brand from the ground up and leave your mark on a thriving restaurant. - Exciting growth opportunities: With a menu revamp and big plans for the future, there’s plenty of room to grow with us. - Vibrant culture: Work in a fun, supportive, and passionate environment where your voice will be heard. - Family-owned feel: Join a close-knit team where you’ll feel like family from day one. Ready to Lead Sweet Jerk to New Heights? If this sounds like your dream role, we want to hear from you! Apply today with your CV and a short message telling us why you’d be perfect for the Kitchen Manager role at Sweet Jerk.
Let’s bring bold flavours and great vibes to Beckenham together. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Sweet Jerk family!
