Team Leader - Preparation Department – food production

Location: Sittingbourne, Kent - COOK Pastry & Pies

Hours: Monday - Friday 6am - 2pm 

**Pay rate : £27,476.80 / £13.21 (yes this include paid breaks)   

Lead with Purpose – Join Our Prep Team! As a Team Leader, your eye for detail and passion for quality will help deliver the same remarkable experience to our customers every time. Inspire your team, drive results, and keep standards high – every shift, every dish.

The Role

*        Lead, motivate, and support your team to ensure they perform at their best. Foster a positive and encouraging environment where individuals can grow and thrive.

*        Plan and allocate daily tasks, ensuring targets are clear, achievable, and communicated effectively to all team members. Strive for maximum productivity while adhering to company standards.

*        Work closely with the management team to coordinate and control departmental activities, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.

*        Ensure all relevant processes and paperwork are completed accurately and on time.

*        Oversee product quality for every batch, providing your team with the knowledge and training necessary to recognize and deliver excellent results.

*        Proactively identify and address challenges, communicating effectively with the Production Manager to implement solutions.

*         Maintain clear and effective communication within your team and with other departments to promote seamless operations.

*        Encourage and coach your team to embrace continuous improvement in processes, performance, and personal development.

*        Utilize effective people management tools to address performance issues, celebrate successes, and identify potential talent within the team for further development.

*         Lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to the company’s values and going above and beyond to resolve challenges.

Good to Have

*        Ability to work effectively within a small team where strong communication is essential to success.

*        NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Catering or a related discipline.

*        Demonstrated experience in leading a team, with a focus on maintaining high standards and attention to detail.

*        Prior experience in a busy preparation department within food manufacturing is highly desirable—this would truly be the icing on the cake!

If you tick most of these boxes but not all—don’t stress. We’re all about potential.

Excellent Benefits including

• Paid breaks
• free cooked from fresh lunch for all employees
• Free car park
• Paid leave on your birthdays, moving house, become grandparent or your child starts school for the first time
• staff profit share
• Wellbeing program
• 30% staff discount
• Access to CookieJar Smart Spending discounts and free food perks.
• Team meals , events & away days
• Be part of a B-Corp-certified business that values sustainability, people, and the community.

And many more ‿.

Based in Sittingbourne at our COOK Pies & Pastry Kitchen