Chef Manager

Compass Group UK; Bosham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group UK is seeking a hands-on Chef Manager to lead the catering team at St Wilfrid's Hospice, Chichester. In this role you will oversee daily kitchen operations, deliver fresh, high-quality meals for patients, visitors and colleagues, and uphold exceptional standards of food safety and service.

You will mentor and develop the kitchen team, plan menus, control stock and budgets, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations with early and late shifts (including weekends when required).

Qualifications

• Head Chef/Chef Manager or similar leadership experience.
• Strong team management and people development skills.
• Experience in fast-paced catering environments.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Passion for high-quality, seasonal food.
• Proactive, hands-on leadership with ability to lead by example.
• Flexibility for early/late shifts, weekends when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team.
• Plan, prepare and present fresh meals.
• Manage day-to-day catering operations and events.
• Oversee food ordering, stock control and budgeting.
• Minimise waste and drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Create rotas and support smooth daily operations.
• Promote teamwork and continuous improvement.

Skills

Team management

People development

Catering in fast-paced environment

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Food safety standards

Seasonal menu planning

Proactive leadership

Education

NVQ or City & Guilds in catering (desirable)

Job description

Chef Manager

Location: St Wilfrid's Hospice, Chichester
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Full Time

Lead, Inspire and Deliver Exceptional Food

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead our catering team at St Wilfrid's Hospice, Chichester. In this role, you'll oversee the delivery of fresh, high-quality meals while managing all aspects of kitchen operations. You'll play a vital role in creating a welcoming dining experience for patients, visitors and colleagues, ensuring exceptional standards of food quality, safety and service.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands‑on culinary leader who enjoys developing teams, driving operational excellence and making a meaningful difference through quality catering.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading, motivating and developing a talented kitchen team
• Planning, preparing and presenting fresh, nutritious meals
• Managing catering for day‑to‑day service and special events
• Overseeing food ordering, stock control and budget management
• Minimising food waste and driving efficiency across the operation
• Ensuring full compliance with food hygiene, health and safety standards
• Creating effective rotas and supporting smooth day‑to‑day operations
• Promoting a culture of teamwork, pride and continuous improvement

About You

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager or in a similar leadership role
• Strong team management and people development skills
• Experience working in a fast‑paced catering environment
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A passion for producing high‑quality, seasonal food
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with the ability to lead by example
• Relevant catering qualifications such as NVQ or City & Guilds (desirable)
• Flexibility to work a mixture of early and late shifts, including weekends where required

What's In It For You?

We believe in rewarding our colleagues for their hard work and commitment. You'll benefit from:

• Competitive salary of £30,000 per annum
• Contributory pension scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Career progression and support with professional development
• Employee wellbeing and assistance programmes
• A supportive and rewarding working environment
• The opportunity to make a positive impact within your local community

About St Wilfrid's Hospice

St Wilfrid's Hospice provides specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care across the local community. With compassion at the heart of everything we do, we support patients and their families through some of life's most challenging times.

By joining our team, you'll play an important role in helping us create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who accesses our services.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Location: St Wilfrid's Hospice, Chichester
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Contract: Full Time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week