Chef Manager

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Brecon; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

40-hour week (5 over 7)

Free meal on duty

Uniform provided

Free on-site parking

Subsidised gym membership

Training & progression

Staff benefits

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is seeking a Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at Brecon Camp. You will manage a 14-strong team, ensure high-quality, nutritious meals, plan menus for daily dining and events, and oversee stock, budgets and compliance.

The role demands a hands-on leader who can inspire and deliver exceptional food experiences for military personnel and staff. Based at Brecon Camp in Wales, the position offers a 40-hour week, flexible shifts, and

Qualifications

• Leadership experience as Head Chef or Chef Manager.
• Strong team management and people development skills.
• Experience managing food safety and kitchen operations in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 14 catering professionals.
• Deliver fresh, nutritious, high-quality food across all services.
• Plan menus and support hospitality and events.
• Manage stock, ordering, budgets and waste control.
• Ensure food safety, health and safety compliance.
• Drive operational excellence and maintain service standards.
• Create a positive team culture and develop staff.
• Work with clients to exceed expectations.

Skills

Head Chef / Chef Manager

Team management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Food safety & compliance

High-volume kitchen

Education

NVQ or City & Guilds qualification

Job description

Chef Manager - Infantry Battle School

Location: Brecon Camp, Wales

Hours: 40 hours per week (5 days over 7)

Salary: £34,900 per annum

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Shifts: Various shifts between 6:00am and 7:00pm, including weekends

Lead, Inspire & Make a Difference

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead our catering operation at Brecon Camp. This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented culinary professional to take ownership of a busy kitchen, inspire a dedicated team, and deliver exceptional food experiences to military personnel and staff.

As Chef Manager, you'll be at the heart of the operation, driving food quality, team engagement, compliance, and innovation. From daily dining to special events, you'll ensure every service is delivered to the highest standards while creating a positive and productive working environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching, and developing a team of 14 catering professionals
• Delivering fresh, nutritious, and high-quality food across all services
• Planning menus and supporting hospitality and special event catering
• Managing stock, ordering, budgets, and waste control
• Ensuring food safety, health and safety, and compliance standards are consistently met
• Driving operational excellence and maintaining exceptional service standards
• Creating a positive team culture where people can thrive and develop
• Working closely with clients to ensure their expectations are exceeded

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking a confident leader who is passionate about food, people, and delivering outstanding results.

Essential

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager, or similar leadership role
• Strong team management and people development skills
• Excellent organisational and communication abilities
• Experience managing food safety, compliance, and kitchen operations
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

Desirable

• Catering qualifications such as NVQ, City & Guilds, or equivalent
• Experience within contract catering, hospitality, or large-scale catering environments

Why Join ESS?

At ESS, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we’re proud to support the Defence sector by providing outstanding catering and support services. In return, we offer excellent benefits and genuine opportunities for career progression.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary of £34,900 per annum
• 40-hour working week (5 over 7)
• Free meal on duty
• Uniform provided
• Free on-site parking
• Subsidised gym membership
• Convenient location on a bus route
• Access to industry-leading training and development
• Excellent career progression opportunities within ESS and Compass Group UK & Ireland

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/1908/94391001/52202093/SU #Defence

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!