Chef Manager

Sanctuary Group; Dumfries; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave pro rata

Sick pay

Contributory pension

Health & wellbeing support

Company-funded training

Flexible working

Life insurance

Career development

Job summary

Sanctuary Group is seeking an experienced Chef Manager to lead the Allanbank Care Home kitchen in Dumfries, delivering nutritious, restaurant-quality meals with balance and stability. This hands-on leadership role supports an Assistant Chef and Catering Assistants.

You will manage stock within budget, maintain high food safety standards, recruit and train staff, and cater to dietary needs of older people. A valid food hygiene certificate is required.

Qualifications

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and staff.
• Prepare meals for older people with dietary needs.
• Maintain stock within budget and minimise waste.
• Ensure high standards of cleanliness and food safety.
• Recruit, train and support catering team growth.
• Experience catering for older people’s dietary needs.
• A valid food hygiene certificate.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations and staff supervision.
• Plan and prepare nutritious meals meeting dietary requirements.
• Manage stock, orders and waste within budget.
• Ensure cleanliness, hygiene and compliance through checks.
• Recruit, train and support a growing catering team.

Skills

Leadership

Meal preparation

Stock management

Food safety

Team training

Dietary needs

Food hygiene certificate

People skills

Team leadership

Job description

Chef Manager Sanctuary Group Dumfries, Dumf, GB

Inclusion is one of our core values. Our goal is to be a diverse, inclusive organisation where our people thrive and meet our customers’ needs with fairness and empathy. We know having a range of ideas and opinions makes a difference. We encourage and welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support this mission. We will make adjustments throughout your application process, in line with Sanctuary’s commitment to our Disability Confident employer status.

Chef Manager

Allanbank Care Home, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 2LF

£16.59 per hour

Deliver culinary excellence through a better work-life balance

We’re excited to welcome an experienced Chef Manager to lead our culinary team at Allanbank Care Home in Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 2LF, delivering nutritious, restaurant-quality meals without the long hours or split shifts often found in hospitality. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your culinary skills, creativity, and standards really matter, within a structured environment that supports balance and stability.

We also celebrate culinary creativity through our annual Sanctuary Care MasterChef competition, giving Chef Managers the opportunity to showcase their skills, share ideas, and be recognised across the organisation.

As a not‑for‑profit and Investors in People Gold organisation, every penny we make is reinvested into our people and our homes, with clear development pathways and recognition for the difference you make. We’re proud winners of the 2025 Nursing Times Award for Care of Older People and the 2025 Care Home Awards Best for Training and Development, and Outstanding Larger Care Home Group.

Your role

• Lead the day to day running of the kitchen, supporting an Assistant Chef and Catering Assistants
• Prepare and cook meals that meet individual dietary requirements for older people
• Manage stock and waste while working within budget
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and compliance through regular checks and risk assessments
• Recruit, train and support the catering team to help them grow and succeed
• Experience catering for the dietary needs of older people
• A valid food hygiene certificate
• A friendly, approachable nature and enjoyment of working with people
• Confidence leading and supporting a small team

Your rewards

You deserve more than the basics. That’s why, alongside 28 days’ annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays), occupational sick pay linked to length of service, and a contributory pension, we’ve created a package to help you thrive:

• CQC/CI inspection bonus
• Health and wellbeing support – including Aviva Digicare+ with virtual GP appointments, plus an Employee Assistance Programme offering medical, financial, and legal advice, as well as short-term counselling
• Company-paid life insurance
• Enhanced parental leave arrangements and annual leave purchase scheme
• Company-funded training and ongoing career development opportunities, including our Team Leader Development Programme
• Flexible working options and an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, supported by our staff networks including PRISM, Disability, Race Equality and Parent networks
• Exclusive retail discounts, Cycle to Work, and salary sacrifice arrangements

Some rewards are subject to a qualifying period or other criteria – visit our website for more information.

Before you apply

• We can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK.
• All roles require safeguarding and pre‑employment checks, including criminal records and overseas police checks if needed; for more information, please get in touch.
• Internal candidates should apply via their internal careers account.
• We may close this advert early, so please apply as soon as possible.

We work closely with the Home Office in order to prevent illegal working.

A PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme) check in respect of protected adults will be necessary in the event of a successful application, which we will pay for.

Sanctuary Care Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.

Full-time