Kitchen Leader - Southampton University

As a Kitchen Leader at Pret a Manger, you'll play a key role in ensuring the consistent preparation of delicious food that meets our high standards, while leading and inspiring your team to deliver excellence every day. You'll act as a role model, promoting Pret's core values and maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant kitchen environment. With a sharp eye for detail, you'll manage stock counts and complete administrative tasks accurately to support smooth operations. Working closely with Managers, you'll help oversee shift performance, resolve issues quickly, and ensure every customer enjoys a fresh and satisfying experience.

Pret here! We're proud makers of delicious food, organic coffee and big ideas across 750+ shops in 20+ countries.

Whether you're making our customers' days with the perfect latte or leading your team to success, roles in Pret shops come with huge opportunities for growth. Together, we're doing the right thing and growing fast - it's an exciting team to hop on board!

This role is located in Unit 3 & Unit 6 (Part) Gower Building, Burgess Road, Southampton SO17 1TW GBR

Growing Good Things

Pret is where passionate, hardworking, wonderful people (like you!) find the confidence and skills they need to grow and choose their unique paths. And the proof is in the pudding - 80%+ of our Managers and 20% of our Support Centre teams (including our CEO, Pano) started on the shop floor.

Be kind, honest and generous: bring genuine warmth and your authentic self to work every day.

Bring your passion: share our passion for exceptional customer service.

Spread joy every day: small acts of kindness (like giving away a free coffee on the house) are a big part of what makes the Pret experience special.

Experience needed: You lead with purpose-driving team performance, protecting profit, and keeping customers happy through high standards and great energy.

We offer

Hourly rate is £15.10 (inclusive of mystery shopper bonus)

After initial training, earn an extra £5 per hour for any shift started between 3-5am

28 days annual leave (pro-rata if you're part-time)

Pension scheme Life Assurance at 3x annual salary & virtual GP

Healthcare cash plan

Free food and drink while you're working

And when you're not, you'll have our Club Pret Membership (giving you 50% off food and to 5 free Barista-made drinks a day)

Loyalty award after 5, 10, 15, 20 years' service

Regular rewards and recognition for amazing standards

Access marketplace discounts on shopping, travel, fitness, dining, tech and more

Flexible working hours, means you have the time to do what's important to you

Comfy free shoes to wear on shift

We also offer

Individual ways to grow - We offer lots of opportunities for learning, whether you join us for a short stint or the long game, you're good to grow with us. Including fully funded professional qualifications - apprenticeships Level 3 and internal transfer opportunities to explore.

Diversity and belonging - Everyone is welcome at Pret, we want you to feel confident and valued for who you are and to truly belong.

Pace and variety - Our work is fast paced with lots of variety, you'll build a diverse skill set and learn a lot!

Community and purpose - We're proud to make a difference through The Pret Foundation, from tackling homelessness to reducing food waste and creating positive change for people and communities.