Chef Manager

Grow and Thrive Limited; Epsom; On-site; GBP 35,323 - 43,172; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time hours (school term)

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Aspens Services, a market-leading school catering provider, seeks an ambitious Chef Manager to take full operational and financial responsibility for your school’s catering facility and elevate the dining experience.

You will lead and develop the kitchen team, manage costs, drive menu development, and ensure health and safety through audits. The role offers term-time hours, 40 hours/week, career development, and requires safeguarding disclosure.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of gross profit management and ability to meet sales targets.
• Proven craft skills with commitment to using fresh ingredients.
• Experience coaching and inspiring a high-performing team.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.
• OND/HND is a bonus, but on-the-job experience matters.

Responsibilities

• Financial Control: Managing and improving 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 monthly promotions and added-value events.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure standards, systems and legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.

Skills

GP management

Fresh ingredients

Line management

Health and safety

Education

OND/HND

Job description

Aspens Services

We are 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.

The 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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Qualification like OND/HND is a bonus, but your on‑the‑job experience is what we’re truly after.

Benefits

• Great work‑life balance – Monday to Friday during school term time, no late nights, no weekends, and no working at Christmas.
• 40 hours per week, 44.6 weeks per year – plenty of time off.
• £39,248 per annum.
• Career growth and development – no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering, with a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses.

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.