Kitchen Lead / Food Truck Supervisor – West Cork
We're looking for an experienced, motivated, and entrepreneurial kitchen professional to take charge of our fully equipped food truck, that will be located in the beer garden of our busy country pub in West Cork.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants more than simply a kitchen job. You'll have the freedom to develop a gourmet fast-food concept, take ownership of the day-to-day operation, and play a key role in growing the food side of the business.
For the right person, there is also potential for a profit-share arrangement, depending on sales performance, the success and growth of the food operation, and your level of interest and involvement in developing the business. This could be an exciting opportunity for someone who is genuinely interested in building something and being rewarded for its success.
Customers will have the option to enjoy food in the pub's beer garden, inside the pub, or as takeaway, creating a busy and varied service environment.
The Role
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the food truck
- Create, develop, and manage a high-quality gourmet fast-food menu
- Prepare and serve food to consistently high standards
- Take ownership of the food offering and help shape its direction and identity
- Manage ordering, stock control, and stock rotation
- Maintain HACCP documentation and ensure full compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations
- Ensure compliance with HSE food safety standards at all times
- Ensure allergen information is accurately recorded, communicated, and available to customers in line with current food safety legislation
- Implement and maintain cleaning and maintenance schedules
- Manage food costs, portion control, margins, and minimise waste
- Supervise, train, and coordinate up to four part-time team members
- Deliver efficient service during busy trading periods
- Work closely with management to increase sales and develop the food operation
- Identify opportunities for new products, promotions, events, and additional revenue
- Help build a food offering that becomes an important part of the overall pub business
About You
We're looking for someone who is confident, hands-on, commercially minded, and excited by the opportunity to have genuine responsibility.
You should have:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, food truck, takeaway, café, or similar food operation — desirable but not essential
- Experience working in a busy fast-food, takeaway, or high-volume food service environment
- Strong organisational and leadership skills
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of a business unit
- A commercial mindset and an understanding of food costs, margins, and profitability
- A good understanding of HACCP, food safety regulations, and allergen management requirements
- Knowledge of food allergies, dietary requirements, and best practices for allergen control and customer safety
- Experience managing stock, ordering, and staff scheduling
- A passion for quality food, local produce, and menu development
- Creativity and enthusiasm for developing a food concept
- A hands-on approach, strong work ethic, and excellent attention to detail
- The ambition to help grow the business rather than simply work in it
Operating Schedule
The food truck will operate:
- Thursday to Sunday
- Bank Holiday Mondays
- Opening hours to be confirmed
Additional preparation, ordering, stock management, and administrative duties will be required outside of service hours as needed.
What's On Offer
- Opportunity to take ownership of and grow your own food operation
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Potential profit-share opportunity linked to sales, performance, and the growth of the business
- The opportunity to have a genuine financial stake in the success you help create
- Creative freedom and input into menu design and development
- Support from an established pub and management team
- An opportunity to develop the food operation and make your mark on the business
- A varied role combining kitchen management, food development, people management, and commercial responsibility
- Work in one of Ireland's most food-focused regions
- Full-time permanent position
About the Profit-Share Opportunity
The profit-share element is intended for someone who wants to become genuinely invested in the success of the food operation.
The exact structure would be discussed with the successful candidate and would be based on factors such as sales achieved, profitability, growth of the operation, and the individual's level of involvement and commitment to developing the business.
This is therefore an opportunity that could become particularly attractive to someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who wants to help build something successful and share in the rewards.
Important Information
- Applicants must already be living in Ireland and have legal permission to work in Ireland
- Fluent English is essential
- Accommodation is not provided
If you're looking for more than a standard kitchen role and would like the opportunity to take ownership, develop a food concept, grow sales, and potentially share in the profits you help generate, we'd love to hear from you.
This could suit an experienced chef, kitchen manager, food truck operator, or ambitious food professional who is ready to take the next step and become a key part of a growing business.
Please send your CV and a brief cover note to apply.
Pay: €15.00-€20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Food allowance
- On-site parking
- Profit sharing
Work Location: In person
