Area Chef Manager

Grow and Thrive Limited; Bromley; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 hours per week

40 weeks per year

Term-time schedule

Professional development & training

Competitive hourly pay

Job summary

Aspens Services is seeking an Area Chef Manager to take full operational and financial responsibility for school catering facilities in your region. You will lead a kitchen team, oversee menus, and ensure exceptional quality and service.

We offer a role that combines culinary excellence with strong financial oversight, in a company focused on education catering. Monday to Friday during term time, 40 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, with highly competitive hourly pay.

Qualifications

• Strong GP management and ability to hit sales targets.
• Proven team leadership with coaching and development experience.
• Excellent craft with fresh ingredients and quality standards.
• Solid knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Full UK driving licence required; additional OND/HND bonus.

Responsibilities

• Financial control: manage costs, stock, food and labour.
• Lead, coach, and inspire kitchen staff to deliver excellence.
• Oversee menu development and drive sales with monthly promotions.
• Ensure standards, systems and legislation are met through audits.

Skills

Gross Profit management

Team leadership

Culinary craft

Health & safety knowledge

UK driving licence

Education

OND/HND (bonus)

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Bromley

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.

Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

The role:

We’re seeking an ambitious Area Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for the catering facility of the schools within your region! This role goes beyond the kitchen - it requires a visionary leader with the flair and originality to consistently deliver the highest quality food and service, elevating the dining experience and establishing this as one of the best school catering offers in the region!

Your responsibilities will include:

Financial Control: Managing and improving all controllable costs, including stock, food and labour.

Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train and inspire your kitchen team to deliver excellence every day.

Culinary Innovation:Oversee menu development and drive sales through exciting monthly promotions and added-value events.

Quality Assurance:Guarantee all standards, systems and essential legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.

About you:

We’re looking for a passionate leader who is ready to drive excellence and profitability. If you’re hungry for a role where you can fully own the operation, you’ll need:

A strong understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management and the strategic know-how to smash sales targets.

You have fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.

Motivational Leader:Proven experience in line management—you know how to coach, motivate, and inspire to develop a high-performing team.

Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.

A full UK driving licence

A qualification like OND/HND is a bonus, but your on-the-job experience is what we’re truly after

Why Join the Aspens Family?

Great Work-Life Balance:

You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time - that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas!

40 hours per week

40 weeks per year - what will you do with all that time off?

Highly Competitive Hourly Pay

Career Growth and Development:

Join a fast-growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering.

Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.

Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.