Catering Team Leader- Head Chef

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in East Sussex is seeking an enthusiastic Catering Team Leader to oversee kitchen operations, menu design, and team leadership. You will ensure high-quality meals for patients and visitors while managing compliance with food safety regulations. Ideal candidates have experience in catering management and a passion for nutritious food. This role offers regular hours and opportunities for staff development.

Benefits

Staff development opportunities

NHS pension scheme

Access to onsite nurseries

Onsite parking

Confidential Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in catering management or senior chef roles in healthcare or large-scale catering.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergen management, and HACCP systems.
• Creative with attention to detail in menu design.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the catering team to deliver outstanding food and service.
• Plan and prepare balanced menus, addressing dietary needs.
• Oversee daily operations of the staff restaurant and patient meal service.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organisational skills

Food safety knowledge

Menu design

Team collaboration

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Catering Team Leader to join our busy and friendly Hospital Catering Department. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you'll play a vital part in providing nutritious, high‑quality meals to both patients and visitors, while leading a team committed to delivering excellent service across our hospital site.

You will take the lead in hands‑on cooking, menu design, dish costings, and daily kitchen operations, ensuring that all catering services meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance with food hygiene and health & safety legislation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support the catering team to deliver outstanding food and service.
• Plan and prepare balanced, appealing menus for patients, staff, and visitors, ensuring dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Oversee the day‑to‑day running of the staff & visitor restaurant and patient meal service.
• Manage food production and portion control, ensuring cost‑effective use of resources.
• Ensure all catering operations are fully compliant with current food safety, hygiene, and health & safety legislation.
• Support team training and development, fostering a positive and professional working environment.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to continually improve catering standards and customer satisfaction.

What we're looking for

• Food‑focused with a genuine passion for creating nutritious, tasty meals.
• Positive and proactive, with excellent organisational and leadership skills.
• Experienced in catering management or senior chef roles, ideally within a healthcare or large‑scale catering environment.
• Knowledgeable about food safety, allergen management, and HACCP systems.
• Creative and detail‑oriented, with the ability to design menus that balance quality, cost, and variety.
• A team player, eager to contribute to a department with great potential and a shared commitment to achieving excellent results.

Benefits

• A wide range of staff benefits including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto‑enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries, staff restaurants and accommodation.
• Access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
• Onsite parking available from only £50 a year.

Our Mission and Values

Our mission is to:

• Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.

Strategic objectives

• Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
• Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients' experiences.
• Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.

Our aims

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive and
• Well led

About East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive health services are provided by over 8 000 dedicated staff and facilities across the region, with CQC ratings of ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for caring and effective. Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24‑hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.

Working hours

• Regular working hours – mainly Monday to Friday, with no late nights.
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the experience and wellbeing of our patients, staff, and visitors.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities within a growing catering service.