Chef

Manchester Arndale; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is hiring a Chef to work at The Harbour, Blackpool, delivering high-quality food and service across the site. You will prepare and cook meals to a high standard, maintain food safety, control stock, and support day-to-day operations in a fast-paced catering environment.

The role requires a passion for food, strong teamwork, and the ability to manage workload while upholding hygiene standards. Applicants must have right to work in the UK and be prepared to undergo a DBS check.

Qualifications

• Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen compliance standards
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Passion for food preparation and delivering high-quality service
• Ability to work in a fast-paced catering environment and manage workload effectively

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food to a high standard, ensuring quality, taste and presentation
• Manage stock levels, including ordering and controlling raw materials
• Monitor and control budgets, minimising waste and ensuring efficient resource use
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and hygiene within the kitchen
• Support the delivery of catering services for clients and customers
• Assist with site operations and provide cover in the absence of the Senior Chef where required

Job description

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role:

Days of Working: This position will be based at The Harbour,Blackpool, working Mon - Fri 8am till 4pm starts and 11am till 19.00pm starts.

As a Chef at OCS, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality food and service across your site. You will be responsible for preparing and cooking meals to a high standard, ensuring excellent taste, presentation and consistency. Alongside this, you will support stock control, manage resources effectively and maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards.

This is a hands-on role ideal for someone passionate about food, quality and service, with the opportunity to develop your skills within a supportive and professional catering environment.

Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare and cook food to a high standard, ensuring quality, taste and presentation
• Manage stock levels, including ordering and controlling raw materials
• Monitor and control budgets, minimising waste and ensuring efficient resource use
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and hygiene within the kitchen
• Support the delivery of catering services for clients and customers
• Assist with site operations and provide cover in the absence of the Senior Chef where required

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen compliance standards
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Passion for food preparation and delivering high-quality service
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced catering environment and manage workload effectively

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a chef role or catering environment
• Food handling or food safety certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Qualifications such as City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (or equivalent)
• Experience within contract catering or large‑scale food production
• Experience supporting kitchen operations or deputising for senior team members

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.