Executive Head Chef

Executive Head Chef - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!

Location:

Kings College Taunton, South Rd, Taunton TA13LA

Salary:

£45000 - £47000 annually
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days in a week

Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Executive Head Chef for Sodexo at Kings College, you'll be at the heart of the school, overseeing food and beverage operations, managing budgets, and ensuring every meal is top-tier. Your leadership will inspire your team daily, creating a dynamic and productive work environment.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and coordinate all culinary operations across King’s College and additional catering sites, ensuring high‑quality core, speciality, and hospitality services.
• Deliver services to agreed specifications, performance standards, and financial targets.
• Manage, motivate, and develop the kitchen team to maximise revenue opportunities, labour efficiency, and overall performance.
• Oversee purchasing and supply chain activity to ensure value for money and robust cost control.
• Support the Catering Manager in building and maintaining strong, long‑term client relationships.
• Recruit, induct, develop, and where necessary, effectively manage staff performance.
• Drive organic growth, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and Environmental legislation through the Sodexo Safety Management System.
• Provide professional culinary and technical support to clients, colleagues, and the wider team.
• Lead menu planning and costing using the Sodexo menu system, ensuring balanced, seasonal, innovative, and financially sound menus.
• Manage kitchen and stores labour budgets, scheduling staff efficiently based on business needs.
• Champion the Independents by Sodexo food offer, positioning King’s College as a flagship site for visitors and prospective clients.
• Build productive working relationships across all levels of the College and Sodexo.
• Support HR processes including recruitment, induction, team briefings, and ongoing staff development and welfare.

What You Bring:

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 Food Production (or equivalent)
• Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Strong literacy and numeracy
• Experienced chef in busy, client-facing environments
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible; able to work under pressure across varied shifts
• Direct management experience of chefs/kitchen brigade
• Clear and effective leadership style with a strong ability to motivate, coach, train, and develop others
• Excellent time management and organisational skills

• At least one year of hands-on cooking experience (Training in Food Hygiene and Health & Safety provided)

Desirable

• Strong analytical skills; ability to solve problems and implement innovative solutions
• PC literate
• Advanced Food Safety or Health & Safety qualification

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment

• Competitive salary and benefits

• Full training and protective uniform provided

• No unsociable hours

  and public holidays off—including Christmas!

• Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

• Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support

• Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits

• Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships

• Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and help us create a brighter future!

Note:

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.

File Downloads

• HR-5933_Benefits UK Brochure V9.pdf