Area Chef Manager - School Catering Lead (West Midlands)

Sodexo Group; Wordsley; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing app access

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Salary Finance Platform

Retirement plan

Death in service

Cycle to work

Volunteer opportunities

Flexible working

Competitive pay

Training & PPE

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an Area Chef Manager to oversee catering operations for multiple schools in the Stourbridge and Halesowen area of the West Midlands. This hands-on leadership role requires managing school catering teams and ensuring high standards of food quality, service, safety and financial performance across sites.

The role follows a Monday–Friday pattern with 37.5 hours per week, term-time only (39-week contract paid over 52 weeks).

Qualifications

• Experience cooking for 100–1300 students.
• Experience following recipes and menus.
• Supervision or line management experience.
• Experience with fresh produce and ingredients.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Professional, lead by example.
• Basic food handling certifications (NVQ2, Level 2 Food Safety).

Responsibilities

• Manage catering operations across sites.
• Develop, mentor and train kitchen teams.
• Control labour, food and stock costs.
• Ensure consistent food and service standards.
• Create and develop menus.
• Conduct routine audits.

Skills

Large-scale cooking

Staff supervision

Food safety

Recipe following

Health & safety

Pressure under deadlines

Education

NVQ Level 2

Level 2 Food Safety

Job description

Sodexo is seeking an Area Chef Manager to oversee catering operations for multiple schools in the Stourbridge and Halesowen area of the West Midlands. This hands-on leadership role requires managing school catering teams and ensuring high standards of food quality, service, safety and financial performance across sites.

The role follows a Monday–Friday pattern with 37.5 hours per week, term-time only (39-week contract paid over 52 weeks).