Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Beaconsfield; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Training opportunities

Free culinary qualifications

Staff discount scheme

Monthly team incentives

Job summary

Impact Food Group in Beaconsfield is seeking a Chef Manager to lead a high-spec kitchen at Chapter One, High March School. You will manage a team, design seasonal menus, and ensure top-tier service for students, with weekday shifts from 7am to 3:30pm over 40 weeks.

You will oversee stock, budgets, hygiene standards, and client relations, while contributing to school events and functions to uphold our commitment to great food and service.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a professional or high-standard kitchen, ideally in independent schools or premium catering environments.
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at a consistently high standard.
• Strong people management and team leadership skills.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining exceptional standards.
• Experience or willingness to support catering events and client functions.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with school clients, boarding staff, and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
• Planning, preparing, and executing catering events, banquets, and special functions

Skills

Kitchen management

People management

Menu planning

Budget control

Food hygiene compliance

Communication skills

Event catering experience

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about great service, fantastic food, and making a positive impact.

About the role

Job Title: Chef Manager

Brand: Chapter One

School Location: High March School, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PZ

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-3.30pm (40hours per week)

Working Weeks: 40weeks per year

Pay Details: £41,500 per Annum

What will I be doing?

As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-spec kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to students every day at our independant schools. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain exceptional standards, and ensure smooth, professional service. You’ll also be involved in catering events, parent functions, and special school occasions, delivering food to the highest presentation and quality standards.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with school clients, boarding staff, and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
• Planning, preparing, and executing catering events, banquets, and special functions

We’re not in the business of making school food - we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our clients and customers love us.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-spec catering and strong leadership skills.

• Proven experience managing a professional or high-standard kitchen, ideally in independent schools or premium catering environments
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at a consistently high standard
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining exceptional standards
• Experience or willingness to support catering events and client functions

If you thrive in a high-standard, professional environment and enjoy leading teams to deliver exceptional food, this is the role for you.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Daytime hours, with some flexibility for events
• Free meals on shift
• Opportunities for ongoing training, development, and career progression
• Access to free culinary qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers

This is your opportunity to lead a high-spec kitchen, work on premium catering events, and develop your career in an exceptional environment.

Please note: An interview, trade test, and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are requiredtoundergo an enhancedDBS check, which IFG will pay for?

We area committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail withinyourapplication. Allinformation is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.