Chef Manager

Aramark; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on benefits platform

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Generous holiday entitlement

Job summary

Aramark UK seeks a Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at NESCOT College in Surrey. You will manage kitchen operations, ensure food quality and safety, control budgets, and develop a high-performing team to deliver exceptional dining experiences for students and staff.

You will drive innovation, maintain standards, and liaise with clients. DBS checks are expected; the role offers career progression and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Chef Manager or head chef role in high-volume catering.
• Strong culinary knowledge and ability to deliver high-quality food.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, allergen management and health & safety.
• Experience managing budgets, food/labour costs and reducing waste.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Valid DBS check or willingness to obtain; Food Hygiene Level 3 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Inspire and develop kitchen team to maintain high standards.
• Oversee preparation, cooking and presentation with dietary compliance.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, health & safety and audit records.
• Manage budgets, food costs and labour expenditure to meet targets.
• Control stock, inventory and waste through rotation.
• Build relationships with clients and respond to feedback.
• Support catering events and special dietary requests.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Budget management

Food safety

Allergen management

Education

Food Hygiene Level 3 qualification

Job description

re you a passionate culinary leader looking for your next challenge? We are seeking an experienced Chef Manager to lead our catering operation at NESCOT College in Surrey. This is an exciting opportunity to combine your culinary expertise, people management skills, and commercial awareness in a busy education sector environment, delivering high-quality food and excellent customer experiences every day.

As Chef Manager, you will take full responsibility for kitchen operations, food quality, health and safety compliance, financial performance, and team development. Working closely with both clients and customers, you will play a key role in driving innovation, maintaining exceptional standards, and creating a welcoming dining experience for students, staff, and visitors.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. All roles are subject to safer recruitment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

What's in it for you:

• £44,000 dependant on experience + package
• You will have access toour online benefits platform which includes 100's ofdiscounts, including savings on your weekly supermarket shopand weekend treats!
• We also offer a company package including life assurance, pension contributions, generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy more, and many moreperks.
• You will also be joininga great team, with fabulous careerprospectsand could lead to all sorts of opportunities – we LOVE to promote from within!
• As we are passionate about developing our people from within, great training is provided.We also offer apprenticeship schemes, soyourlearning journey can continue!

Job Responsibilities

Lead and manage all day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring efficient food production and service delivery.

Inspire, motivate, and develop the kitchen team to maintain high standards of performance and customer service.

Oversee the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance with dietary and allergen requirements.

Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and company policies, maintaining accurate records and audit standards.

Manage kitchen budgets, food costs, and labour expenditure to achieve financial targets.

Control stock ordering, inventory management, and waste reduction through effective stock rotation and operational planning.

Build strong relationships with clients and customers, acting as the main point of contact and responding to queries and feedback.

Support catering events, special dietary requests, and client meetings while driving continuous improvement and business growth opportunities.

Key Requirements:

Proven experience in a Chef Manager, Head Chef, or similar kitchen leadership role within a high-volume catering environment.

Strong culinary knowledge with the ability to consistently deliver high-quality food and excellent customer experiences.

Sound understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety regulations.

Demonstrable experience managing budgets, controlling food and labour costs, and reducing waste.

Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.

Valid DBS check (or willingness to obtain one) and Food Hygiene Level 3 qualification preferred.

About Aramark

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager beforesubmittingyour application.

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If yourequireany accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail]
Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.