Head of Kitchen Development

Head of Kitchen Development – 12 Month FTC

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Property department for a full time Head of Kitchen Development on a Fixed Term Basis for c12 months as Maternity Cover. Here at Mitchells & Butlers, we are at the heart of hospitality with over 1,600 sites we're the home of some of the nation's favourite restaurants, bustling bars, cosy country pubs and the local you didn't know we owned. If you're as passionate about Kitchen Development and hospitality as we are, we want to hear from you

In this varied and challenging role, you will be principally accountable to the Director of Building & Kitchen Development for the design, coordination & execution of Kitchen equipment & layout for aligned brands across all investment types as part of the M&B Development Capital Plan

Additionally you will be in support of Kitchen matters across M&B related to Maintenance, Health & Safety, Food Safety and Operational strategic requirements, ensuring all activity is to be delivered safely, to budget, at the agreed quality expected, and on programme.

Leading a team of 4 direct reports and a wider team of 8, you will partner with other Heads of Department from within and outside of the Property Function. Alongside this your role will liaise and Operational Teams and with other key operational support Teams. Additionally, this role involves extensive management, leadership & coordination of all related external supply chain, inclusive of services relating to Kitchen Design & Kitchen Equipment Suppliers/Manufacturers.

This is a mobile role, with a flexible approach to travel required to our sites across the UK.

What's in it for me?

• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Private medical plan- to help keep you and your loved ones safe and secure
• Hybrid working – to fit around the other important things in life
• Love eating out? You'll love it even more with a massive 33% discount across all our brands, so whether its steak night at Miller & Carter or family roast at Toby Carvery we've got you covered.

On top of all this, we offer; a pension, 26 days paid holiday, plus bank holidays, high-street shopping discounts and an online wellbeing hub.

What will I be doing?

Management

• Lead, manage and coach the Lead Kitchen Development Managers and their subsequent teams ensuring that they all adhere to providing safe, ergonomic and commercially viable kitchen designs. Providing our front line teams the opportunity to deliver the best guest experience and an environment they are proud to work in whilst maintaining Company and Departmental processes and procedures.
• Direct management of Building & Kitchen Development Assistant role to support the overall Kitchen Development strategy and Sustainability initiatives.
• Direct and manage external specialist consultancy for new concept and equipment innovation.
• Always ensure that Company and Departmental policies are being adhered to and regularly audit works that are carried out by the Kitchen Design Managers and their Virtual Teams.
• Lead the Ignite approved annual Ideal Kitchen Design Layout review with six stakeholders Food Safety, Health & Safety, Maintenance, Food Development, Culinary Education and Operations supported by Lead Kitchen Design Managers, Kitchen Design Managers for MAB Board approval.
• Update and maintain Equipment Schedule Matrix for productivity, capacity management, ergonomics, safety, delivery of offer and life cycle economics (Capex & Maintenance) for ongoing review with MAB Board approval.
• Cascade Equipment Schedule Matrix output to cross functional independencies to promote best practice and influence strategic thinking.
• Proactively support Company wide innovation through equipment innovation and design principles.
• Proactively engage and contribute to MAB's science-based targets to Net Zero to include GoGreen initiatives in other areas outside of Kitchen Design but relevant to Kitchen Development.
• Continue to maintain and develop sustainability strategy through "No Planet B" Equipment recycling programme.
• Create and maintain Scope of Works for Kitchen Contractors for use with contracts.
• Input into SLAs for Catering Equipment Suppliers via Head of Procurement when required.
• Manage and execute Operational Requests via Divisional Property Execs whilst verifying equipment requested is in line with Ideal Kitchen Design Layout.
• Responsible for allocation of Kitchen Contractors for all investments ensuring projects are deliverable for external teams.
• Continually lead strategic reviews of Capital expenditure of Catering equipment versus operational requests and advise best utilisation of such.
• Accountable for Profit Driver & Adhoc Capital expenditure attributed to Catering Equipment & Design as part of the approval process through Divisional Property Execs and PDC. Additionally oversee reactive safety incidents to include RIDDOR and support Insurance Team as appropriate.
• Support and aid the MAB Procurement team with the strategic approach to Kitchen Equipment expenditure including product and specification reviews in collaboration with Building Services, Reactive Maintenance and Food Trading.

Delivery

• Work with the Director of Building & Kitchen Development to secure approval in good time for Projects in line with the Company requirements and the principals contained in the Development Capital Plan.
• Manage the overall delivery of the Plan within budget, to the correct quality and to programme.
• Formulate and deliver standard ways of working inclusive of all documentation produced internally and externally for all investment types to include all branded Ideal Kitchen Design Layouts.
• Produce concise update to the Exec in support of changes to Ideal Kitchen Design Layout by brand inclusive of costs ahead of input into Capital Plan benchmarking.
• Work to ensure that all Kitchen elements of projects are completed Defect Free. Where problems are anticipated effectively communicate to all relevant parties in a timely manner.
• Actively seek cost reductions and be accountable for the Ideal Kitchen Layouts and Kitchen Benchmark for all brands and consistently seek to always deliver low cost/high value solutions.
• Identify equipment innovations opportunities in line with current operations and Kitchens of the future for improved performance, efficiency, productivity and reduction in maintenance, energy & carbon omissions.
• All procurement is in line with the Departments strategies.
• Accuracy of the Development Events Schedule must be always maintained and internal Capital Plan Programmes.
• Visit key external Kitchen Equipment suppliers & Kitchen Contractors for regular relationship building to ensure the smooth delivery of all investment types and request support from Building Services when appropriate.
• Support and engage with any Kitchen relating Ignite initiatives including Delivery and Dark Kitchens.
• Integral to New Concept Design through Kitchen Equipment & Kitchen Design working to support Director of Building Development and Key Function & Operation Heads.
• Regularly meet with Key Support Functions to include Health & Safety, Food Safety, Food Development and Culinary Education.

Cost Management.

• Proactively manage the overall annual Capital Budgets and site-specific exceptions for Kitchens in conjunction with the Head of Cost and Finance.
• Proactively involved with annual Commercial Kitchen contractors tendering and management of contracts in conjunction with Head of Procurement.
• Complete thorough reviews of the Kitchen Contractors throughout the year inclusive of quotes, performance data and feedback to ensure best performance and value in projects is maintained through individual visits and annual Forum.
• Complete Project by Project Review of the individual costs amongst periodic reviews with Lead Kitchen Development Managers.
• Management of the Profit Driver & Adhoc Capital Budget for Kitchen Equipment post approval from Divisional Director at Divisional Property Exec meetings

What do I need?

• Operational experience and knowledge of Commercial Kitchen Design & Ergonomics.
• Expert in Commercial Kitchen Equipment specifications
• Proven Project Management experience
• Understanding of Kitchen Ventilation, Mechanical & Electrical systems & food safety legislation.
• Working knowledge of technical drawings associated with Kitchen Design.
• Appreciation of construction and building legislation and technologies.
• Problem solver and driven for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated leadership and motivational skills.
• Clear and concise methods of communication and presentation.
• Proficient in all Microsoft programmes with a key focus on Excel.
• The ability to deal with multiple tasks at any one time.
• Self-motivator.
• UK Driving Licence

As this is a mobile role, you will be required to be flexible regarding nationwide travel, and weekday overnights stays based on role requirements

Qualifications;

• At least 5 years experience of related area of expertise.
• Advanced Food Hygiene or equivalent
• Appropriate Industry recognised qualification.

Closing Date: Sunday 7th July