Chef

Manchester Arndale; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-Winning Employer

Digital Learning

Hapi app discounts

Professional Growth

Flexible Pay

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland seeks a Chef for the Whalley Inpatient Unit (Woodview). The role runs Wednesday to Sunday, 09:30–17:30 with extra weekend enhancements. You will prepare and cook meals to a high standard, manage stock, and ensure safety and hygiene across the site.

This hands-on position suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced catering environment and can deputise for the Senior Chef when needed, delivering quality service to clients and customers.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK and willing to undergo DBS check.
• Strong knowledge of hygiene, health & safety standards.
• Experience in a chef/catering environment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food to a high standard.
• Manage stock levels, including ordering and control of materials.
• Monitor budgets, minimise waste and ensure efficiency.
• Maintain cleanliness and food safety in the kitchen.
• Support catering services for clients and customers.
• Cover for the Senior Chef when required.

Skills

Food safety

Food hygiene

Teamwork

Communication

Customer service

Education

City & Guilds 706/1

City & Guilds 706/2

Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Job description

About The Role:

Days of Working: This position will be based at Whalley Inpatient Unit (Woodview), working Wednesday to Sunday 0930 - 1730 - additional enhancements paid for weekend working.

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.

• 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
• 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

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)

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.