Chef Manager

Wshgroup; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Holroyd Howe is seeking a Chef Manager to lead school catering operations. You will oversee a small kitchen team, plan menus, manage stock and supplier relations, and maintain budgets while ensuring top food quality and strict safety standards.

The role requires experience in contract catering within education, strong leadership, and a commitment to allergen control and sustainable practices.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering, ideally the Independent Education sector.
• Strong kitchen management and leadership skills.
• Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create balanced, appealing menus.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
• Manage and support a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment
• Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships
• Maintain accurate financial records including budgets, ordering, and stock rotation
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
• Work collaboratively with the school community to provide a friendly and efficient catering experience
• Accountability for following and championing allergen controls

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Contract catering

Allergen management

Food safety

Communication

Sustainability

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
• Manage and support a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment
• Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships
• Maintain accurate financial records including budgets, ordering, and stock rotation
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
• Work collaboratively with the school community to provide a friendly and efficient catering experience
• Accountability for following and championing allergen controls

Candidate Profile:

• Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering, ideally the Independent Education sector
• Strong kitchen management and leadership skills
• Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create balanced, appealing menus
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices

We pride ourselves on:

• People first
• We're a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
• Great food, always
• Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
• Food education
• We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
• Respect in everything we do
• Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
• Fresh thinking
• New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.

In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.

Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children.

This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.