Head Chef

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Saint Andrews; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits package

Career growth opportunities

Diverse, inclusive workplace

Online wellbeing support platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP service

Discounts through Sodexo Discounts

Mercer Aspire Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Bike to Work Scheme

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Head Chef to lead the culinary operation at St Leonards School in St Andrews. This hands-on role requires driving high standards, creativity, and excellence across feeding, retail and hospitality for about 500 students and staff.

You will manage a team, balance restaurant-style food with school demands, and work closely with the client to deliver innovative, financially controlled menus.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 Food Production or equivalent is required.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills.
• Experience as a chef in busy client-facing environments.
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Advanced food safety or health and safety qualifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct all culinary activities at St Leonards and approved catering locations.
• Manage services to agreed specification, performance, and financial targets.
• Lead a team to grow revenue opportunities and improve GOP in retail operations.
• Oversee supply chain management to ensure value for money.
• Nurture client relationships for long-term partnerships.
• Recruit, induct, and develop kitchen staff; address performance issues.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth and new business.

Skills

Literacy & numeracy

Restaurant kitchen experience

Team leadership

Communication

Flexibility under pressure

People management

Education

NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent

Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Head Chef – Make an Impact Every Day

Location: St Leonards School, 10 The Pends, St Andrews. KY16 9QJ

Days/Shift Pattern: 5 days out of 7 predominately Monday to Friday

Working Hours: 40hrs

Salary: £41,500 per annum plus Performance-related bonus

We are looking for a talented and inspirational Head Chef to lead the culinary operation atSt Leonards School in St Andrews.This is a high-profile, hands-on role where you will act as the culinary figurehead on site, driving standards, creativity and excellence across core feeding, retail and hospitality.

You will lead a team delivering food for approximately 500 students and staff, alongside occasional fine dining and summer events.This role requires a chef with a strong hospitality background, capable of balancing quality-led, restaurant-standard food with the demands of a busy school environment.

Working closely with the client, you will be highly visible, building relationships and bringing innovation to the food offer while maintaining strong financial and operational control.This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate "foodie" who thrives on developing teams, creating exceptional food experiences, and delivering consistent excellence.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Coordinate and direct all culinary activities in St Leonards and other locations in which we are asked to cater including supporting the team within the boarding houses
• Manage and control the services to the agreed specification and to the agreed performance, qualitative and financial targets.
• Manage a team to increase the Client and Sodexo's revenue opportunities i.e. commercial opportunities, labour efficiency and generate the GOP within retail operations.
• Supply Chain Management - ensure value for money is achieved through robust management of purchasing.
• 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.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth and new business.

What You’ll Bring

• NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent
• Strong level of literacy and numeracy
• Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy, client facing environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player
• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
• Direct management experience of chefs / kitchen brigade
• Clear, strong and effective leadership style
• 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
• Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
• PC literate
• Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification

What We Offer

At Sodexo, this is more than just a job-its your chance to be part of something greater.We celebrate individuality, encourage purpose-driven work, and empower you to succeed on your own terms. Heres what you can expect when you join us:

A competitive salary & excellent benefits package.

Opportunities for career growth and development.

A diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace.

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 the Mercer Aspire 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?

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 and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)