itsu are the leading Asian-inspired quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK, Belgium, and France, and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. itsu's renowned delicious food made fresh in every restaurant, every day, has made itsu a top choice for healthy eating.

In addition to itsu restaurants, itsu [grocery] offers a range of high-quality Asian-inspired foods available online and in supermarkets. They are excited to be one of the leading brands in this specific group and have ambitious plans for continued growth both domestically and globally.

With its best-in-class-food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.

The Heart with Smart Group (HwS) is one of the leading franchisee partners operating over 140+ Restaurants and we have launched a new franchise partnership with itsu to continue their commitment of expansion across the UK.

We have a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to join our amazing team in Aberdeen.

Why join us? We are a diverse and brilliant team of over 4000 operating world-class brands. We are one of the largest employers in the hospitality industry and we offer award-winning development opportunities and exciting long term careers all within a supportive and fun culture.

scope of the role

• The Kitchen Manager is a key role in the successful operation of the shop. They support the General Manager by managing the kitchen and the team of their itsu shop.
• They are accountable for People, Quality, Standards and Money within their shop.
• They manage the kitchen through constant MBWA (manage by walking around) and ensure itsu produces beautiful food according to the itsu standards and in line with the business needs.
• They look after the training and development of their team; they plan succession to ensure the shop family tree is always stable and the individual team members’ potential is maximised.
• Their performance is measured against the KPIs

 People

• Lead and motivate the team by promoting and living the itsu qualities
• Continuously develop team members to support their personal growth and maintain a consistent family tree of the shop through succession planning
• Provide training, coaching and development to the  team in accordance with itsu standards
• Ensure robust communications are in place including team briefs, meetings and one to ones.
• Ensure that all members of the team are dealt with fairly, consistently and in line with people policies and that any performance concerns are managed in a timely manner

Quality

• Be the guardian and owner of itsu quality
• Encourage, coach and challenge all team members to deliver every single product as per How To CTR (Correct to Recipe)
• Ensure the Quality Systems Diary is managed and completed daily
• Ensure 5 Food Quality Focuses are followed by the team at all times
• Monitor and follow up on customer feedback

Standards

• Manage the shop operational standards through MBWA (manage by walking around) as per itsu procedures
• Comply with all itsu health & safety policies to ensure all the products we serve to our customers are safe
• Ensure all 5 Food Safety Focuses are carried out by the team at all times
• Maintain a clean and safe kitchen as per itsu standards
• Ensure safety  rules are adhered to at all times
• Ensure EHO 5 stars are achieved
• Take ownership of itsu equipment and ensure it is maintained to the best standards by all team members
• Hold daily team briefs and hot briefs; always focusing on people, quality and standards

Money

• Oversee and ensure sufficient production levels in accordance to forecast and demand whilst balancing waste levels
• Manage orders to ensure full availability as well as stock and waste control
• To complete the weekly stock count & administration processes accurately and consistently
• Schedule team members in the most productive and efficient way to meet the business needs at all times of the day/week etc

the ideal candidate

You will have the ability to make decisions and support your manager in delivering business goals. You will have experience working in a similar fast paced environment and managing a team. You will be passionate, have the ability to lead and inspire others and be driven to achieve success. You will handle change and think on your feet. You will be flexible and willing to work hands on to support your team and deliver standards of excellence.

You put people at the heart of everything you do by displaying the 4 itsu qualities:

• I take pride [in what I do]
• I genuinely care [for people
• I want to grow [myself & others]
• I build trust [around me]

Things we like

Listeners, empathisers, commercial thinkers, challenging minds, critical friends, team players, creatives, those who have people at the forefront of their mind, those who think shop first, those who are themselves

. 

perks and benefits

• Competitive salary
• 28 days holiday
• Bonus scheme
• Tailored training plan & personal development opportunities 
• Pension [+ enhanced company contributions]
• Income protection
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Sick pay
• Range of discounts on Health Services [including Dental insurance and Gym memberships]
• Discounts at Major retailers & across the HwS brand
• Cycle to work scheme