Executive Head Chef

Job Introduction

We are currently looking for an Executive Head Chef to provide strategy and innovation in line with commercial food and menu planning that improve the Company’s reputation for food quality and enhances client and customer experience.

As Executive Head Chef you’ll be responsible for driving compliance of Health, Safety, Food Hygiene and COSHH regulations alongside driving sales; through on site menu planning and promotions.

Sodexo Healthcare is a leading provider of services to the NHS and private healthcare organisations in England. We provide quality of life services that improve patient and staff experience, raise standards and deliver financial benefits to our clients. We help to enhance the patient environment (including patient dining, cleaning/housekeeping, retail services), provide clinical support (equipment sterilisation) and manage technical estates teams (estates management, asset management, land maintenance and energy management).

Role Responsibility

• Ensure the prompt and efficient preparation and service of all meals as laid down in the contractual service level agreement
• Lead and motivate the team to ensure the prompt and efficient preparation and service of all meals and breaks at the required time, leading by example as and when required
• Ensure that all food is prepared with due care and attention, particularly in regards to customers’ special dietary requirements: for example, nut, dairy or wheat allergies
• Control staff rota and division of staff based on the days menu to ensure efficient utilisation of staff
• Monitor waste, ensuring that it is kept to a minimum and action plans are put in place as necessary
• Implement and maintain the Statutory and Company standards of hygiene, health and safety and take any action as is necessary
• Ensure that all costs and expenditure are within the budgeted levels and in line with approved procurement vendors
• Control all costs such as labour, expenses, cash purchases as per with the client/contract policy
• Establish and maintain relationships with individuals at all levels within the Company and the Client organisation
• Demonstrate innovation in our food service offers and ensure the showcasing of new trends on site at regular intervals after sign of from the site leads
• Ensure all concepts & new offers are delivered to spec set up with the Craft team or Retail team

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous Head Chef experience running both a hospitality offer including, events and staff and visitor dining restaurants
• Menu planning experience
• Industry acumen and previous showcase of catering developments & innovations
• Previous experience of managing a team
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate & Advanced managing food safety certification
• 706/2 or NVQ2 chef qualification, or equivalent
• Knowledge of Sodexo IT Systems (or equivalent online systems)
• Ability to achieve and set standards and to work to budget
• Possess good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers, clients and staff to promote a team effort and maintain a positive and professional approach
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work well under pressure

Package Description

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing you to tailor a reward package to suit your needs but includes a technology scheme, private dental insurance, travel insurance, gym membership, Gourmet card, private medical insurance and the ability to purchase or sell annual leave. We also have a Sodexo Discount scheme, which offers employees and their friends and family the opportunity to benefit from over 1,200 discounts from top retailers both online and in-store.

32 hours per week – will be required to work 4 days out of 7 Monday to Sunday between 7.00am and 4.30pm or after these hours to support hospitality as required

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.