Head Chef

Job Introduction

We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to join our team as Head Chef at one of our Government Defence contracts which delivers catering and food service facilities to the Armed Forces. As a key member of our organisation, you will play a pivotal role in delivering excellence in food and catering services while representing our company values.

What we are Offering

• Salary up to £29,000, depending on experience.
• Eligible for flexible benefits.
• Permanent fulltime contract.
• Working Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work possible.
• Please view our attached benefits guide to see everything we have to offer.

Your Role as a Head Chef

Our site is now seeking a Head Chef to oversee our controlled catering services which typically serves:

• 100 covers at breakfast across 4 hours.
• 200 covers at lunch across 1.5 hours.
• 40-80 covers at dinner. 

Managing up to 20 staff encompassing Chefs, Kitchen porters and Military chefs (on rotation) you will need to lead by example and boast excellent communication and time management skills.

As a Head Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of food and catering service delivery, ensuring the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. Your role will involve planning, organising, and coordinating daily catering activities within the dining facility, as well as managing the preparation, cooking, and presentation of food to meet company policies and procedures. 

Additionally, you will collaborate with the Services Manager to plan functions, develop menus, and control food stocks within budgetary constraints. Leading by example, you will champion effective communication, provide leadership to your team, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Please see the attached job description for a more detailed list of the main responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate would possess the following:

Essential: 

• Relevant management/catering experience
• Demonstrated experience in a similar role within the service industry at a comparable level.
• Qualifications such as BSC (Catering), MHCIM, HND, City and Guilds 706/1 and 2, NVQ level 2 and 3, and an intermediate level food safety certificate.
• Strong numerical and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of health & safety and food safety regulations.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team environment.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

Desirable Skills/Competencies:

• IOSH and CIEH qualifications or equivalent.
• Proven track record of managing client relationships.
• Experience in leading, managing, and developing teams.
• Previous experience in a military environment and/or PAYD experience.

Whilst the ideal candidate would fit into the above points, we would implore applicants with the relevant transferrable skills to apply for this role, as you may still be a great fit!

Why Join Us?

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.