Chef Manager

Grow and Thrive Limited; Clapham; On-site; GBP 18,215 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great work-life balance

32.5 hours/week

38 weeks/year

£14.75/hour

Job summary

Aspens Services is seeking a Chef Manager to take full operational and financial responsibility for a school catering facility. You will lead the kitchen, manage GP, control costs, and drive daily excellence in food and service for students and staff.

Responsibilities include coaching a kitchen team, developing menus, and ensuring health & safety compliance, quality audits, and engaging promotions to boost sales. This role offers consistent school-term hours and a focus on fresh ingredients.

Qualifications

• Strong GP management and cost control experience.
• Proven line management with coaching and development skills.
• Experience in healthy, fresh ingredients cooking.
• Knowledge of health and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Financial control: manage costs, stock, food and labour.
• Lead, coach, train, and inspire kitchen team to deliver excellence.
• Oversee menu development and promote sales with monthly promotions.
• Ensure quality standards and compliance through audits and proactive management.

Skills

GP management

Team leadership

Menu development

Quality audits

Health & safety

Education

OND/HND

Job description

Overview

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.

Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

Role

We’re seeking an ambitious Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility. This role goes beyond the kitchen - it requires a visionary leader with the flair and originality to consistently deliver the highest quality food and service, elevating the dining experience and establishing this as one of the best school catering offers in the region!

Your responsibilities

• Financial Control: Managing and improving all controllable costs, including stock, food and labour.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train and inspire your kitchen team to deliver excellence every day.
• Culinary Innovation: Oversee menu development and drive sales through exciting monthly promotions and added-value events.
• Quality Assurance: Guarantee all standards, systems and essential legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.

About you

We’re looking for a passionate leader who is ready to drive excellence and profitability. If you’re hungry for a role where you can fully own the operation, you’ll need:

• A strong understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management and the strategic know-how to smash sales targets.
• Fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.
• Proven experience in line management—you know how to coach, motivate, and inspire to develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.
• A qualification like OND/HND is a bonus, but your on-the-job experience is what we’re truly after.

Why Join the Aspens Family?

• Great Work-Life Balance: You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time - that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas!
• 32.5 hours per week
• 38 weeks per year - what will you do with all that time off?
• £14.75 per hour

Career Growth and Development

Join a fast-growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering. Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.

Ready to start a rewarding career with amazing hours?

Ready to start a rewarding career with amazing hours? Apply today!

Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.