Executive Head Chef

Job Introduction

Location: Clifton College, Guthrie Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3EZ

Salary: £52,000- £55,000 per annum + Flexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefits
 Hours: 40 hours per week
 Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days to include weekends and evening where necessary

Exceptional Sodexo benefits with Great discounts & Recognition and Potential progression within Sodexo

Are you a passionate, innovative chef with a flair for leadership and a love for developing talent? Ready to use your skills to coordinate and direct core feeding as well as speciality and hospitality culinary activities in Clifton College one of England’s most prestigious, historic Independent Schools?

We’re looking for a dynamic Executive Head Chef to join our elite culinary team – a true food ambassador who thrives on variety, challenge, and the opportunity to shape the future of school dining.

What’s the Role?

This is no ordinary chef position. As our Executive Head Chef, you'll be responsible for the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of the core catering and speciality and hospitality events to include any internal hospitality, external hospitality and off site event within all catering areas and venues within the College. You’ll be at the forefront of culinary excellence in education.

What you will Do

• Coordinate and direct core feeding as well as speciality and hospitality culinary activities in Clifton College and other locations in which we are asked to cater.
• Manage and control the services to the agreed specification and to the agreed performance, qualitative and financial targets.
• Manage the kitchen team to increase the Client and Sodexo’s revenue opportunities i.e. commercial opportunities and labour efficiency.
• Supply Chain Management – ensure value for money is achieved through robust management of purchasing.
• Assist the Contract Director to nurture client relationships in order to stabilise & develop them for long term partnerships
• Recruit, induct and develop talented employees within the kitchens and, if necessary, firmly and fairly manage poor performance.
• Responsible for driving Continuous Improvement and innovation to realise the expectations of the College Strategic and technical support – professional advice to customers, peers and the team.
• Ensuring that planning, costing and implementation of all menus using the Sodexo menu system to ensure all menus are balanced, provide variety and seasonality, exhibit innovation and current trends and are financially robust.
• To control the kitchen and store labour budget as part of the client labour budget ensuring personnel are scheduled against business needs in a cost effective manner

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy, client facing environment, working in a high volume establishment as a Head chef or Exec head chef, looking after a team of 20 kitchen staff.
• Direct management experience of chefs / kitchen brigade with Clear, strong and effective leadership style
• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
• A true foodie, passionate about culinary trends, innovation, and developing people
• Strong leadership, financial, communication and interpersonal skills, you bring the energy and inspire those around you
• Ability to be an effective team player
• Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate, NVQ 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Experience in fine dining, large team management or multi-site operations, a bonus!
• Strong ability to increase individuals’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to set and maintain standards

Desirable

• Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
• PC literate
• Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification

Please see full Job Description attached below

Why Join Us?

This is a career-defining opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry, in settings that shape future leaders. You’ll help craft exceptional food experiences, influence culinary direction, and mentor rising stars – all while working in England’s most beautiful and inspiring educational environments.

Ready to stir things up and elevate school dining? Apply now and bring your passion, creativity, and leadership to the forefront of food innovation.

Additional Perks & Benefits

• Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform.
• An Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support.
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
• Exclusive discounts for you, your family, and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme.
• Membership in Pension Plan to help you save for your future.
• Learning and development opportunities to enhance your career growth.
• A Bike to Work Scheme, supporting both your fitness and the environment. 

Ready to Be Part of Something Greater?

If you're looking for an opportunity where you can bring your passion, skills, and ambition to a company that truly values you, then this is it. 

Apply today and take the next step in your Sodexo journey. Friendly customers. Vibrant communities. Exciting careers.

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

Sodexo are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children within schools. All successful candidates will undergo appropriate background, DBS (disclosure) and vetting checks.

The Job description, rewards and Benefits guide is attached