Contract Retail Development Chef
Be part of something greater.
- Job reference: SDX/TP/1324814/159147
- Location: Colchester
- Job type: Full Time - 40 hours per week
- Salary: Up to £38.5K
- Closing date: 16 July 2026
About the role
- 40 hours per week
- Monday - Friday with some weekend working
- Shifts are between 06:00 - 22:30 depending on work schedule
- up to £38,500 per annum
- Free Car parking
- Sodexo rewards and benefits
Job Introduction
Lead Innovation. Inspire People. Shape the Future of Defence Retail Catering.
Ready to take your culinary career beyond the kitchen?
At Sodexo Merville Barracks, Colchester, we believe great food creates great experiences. We're looking for a Contract Retail Development Chef to lead the development of innovative retail and mobile catering concepts across Merville Barracks.
This is far more than a traditional chef role. It's an opportunity to combine your culinary creativity with commercial awareness and people leadership, developing exciting food concepts that drive business growth and enhance the customer experience. From launching street food concepts and branded retail offers to mentoring teams and influencing retail strategy, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of Defence catering.
What you’ll do
As Contract Retail Development Chef, you'll lead innovation across our retail catering operation while ensuring exceptional standards, commercial success and operational excellence.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Creating and launching exciting retail food concepts, from street food and grab-and-go offers to branded catering experiences
- Leading the development of our mobile Airstream catering trailer and retail offer
- Developing commercially successful menus that deliver against sales, GP and budget targets
- Using market trends and customer insight to continuously evolve our food offer
- Working collaboratively with operational teams, clients and stakeholders to deliver sustainable business growth
- Mentoring and developing chefs and catering colleagues to support learning and progression
- Driving promotional activity, seasonal campaigns and retail initiatives
- Promoting new concepts through engaging culinary storytelling and social media
- Championing food safety, health & safety and compliance across all operations
- Building long-term client relationships while representing Sodexo professionally at all times
What you bring:
We're looking for an experienced chef with a passion for innovation and commercial success.
- Experience developing successful retail food concepts, branded offers or contemporary dining experiences
- A strong understanding of menu development, food trends and consumer behaviour
- Commercial awareness with experience delivering sales, gross profit and budget targets
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor and inspire others
- Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety and compliance
- Experience building positive client and customer relationships
- Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office and catering systems
- A recognised Food Safety qualification (Level 4 desirable)
Experience promoting food brands through social media and examples of culinary content or campaigns would be an advantage.
What we offer:
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:
- Mental health & wellbeing support
- Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
- 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
- Discounts for you & family
- Financial tools & retirement plan
- Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications
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KEY BENEFITS
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Advice and guidance
Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it. -
Pension Plan
Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan. -
Wellbeing support
Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7. -
Generous leave
For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge. -
Discounts and savings
Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme -
Virtual GP
24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.
Social Impact
Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.
We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.
Colchester, United Kingdom, CO2 7UT
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