Chef Manager

Stir; Fleet; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading school catering provider seeks a Chef Manager to lead culinary operations, ensuring excellence in food quality and service. This role requires strong leadership skills, financial acumen, and a passion for cooking with fresh ingredients. The Chef Manager will ensure compliance with health regulations, foster team collaboration, and drive sales growth through innovative promotions. Candidates should possess culinary mastery with significant experience in managing kitchen teams. The position emphasizes work-life balance with a Monday to Friday schedule and no weekend shifts.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Structured work hours

Access to Learning & Development team

Qualifications

• Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management.
• Proven experience in managing a team and fostering exceptional teamwork.
• Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Drive performance across all facets of the catering operation.
• Lead the preparation of high-quality meals using fresh ingredients.
• Motivate staff and ensure a fantastic dining experience.
• Drive sales and revenue growth through effective promotions.
• Ensure compliance with all company systems and relevant legislation.

Skills

Culinary mastery

Team leadership

Financial management

Health & Safety knowledge

Education

OND or HND Qualification

Job description

Summary

As Chef Manager, you will be the point of leadership for your site. This pivotal role demands culinary mastery combined with sharp business acumen. You will place emphasis on delivering the highest quality food and service, leveraging your creative flair, originality, and leadership to make a significant stir in the school catering industry.

Package

At Stir, we give our teams the time, freedom, and tools they need to feel pride in their work every single day! You'll also benefit from a true commitment to work-life balance :

Monday to Friday working only-say goodbye to all weekend shifts!

32.5 hours working with no late nights.

39 working weeks per year, structured around the term-time calendar (maximising time with family and friends!).

£16 per hour

Join a fast-growing, ambitious company dedicated to supporting your long-term career development.

Access to our dedicated Learning & Development team for apprenticeships and advanced training courses available to all staff.

Crucial Note

We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children / young people. This role requires a mandatory enhanced DBS disclosure. Due to high demand for this key position, the role may be filled before the official closing date.

Main Responsibilities

The Chef Manager drives performance across all facets of the catering unit :

Financial Command (P&L) : Assume full control of the catering operation, including managing and improving all controllable costs (stock, food, and labour) to ensure maximum profitability.

Culinary & Menu Excellence : Lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals utilising our fresh and sustainable ingredients. Oversee and guide continuous menu development.

Team Leadership & Development : Lead, coach, and motivate all staff, setting a positive tone and guaranteeing a consistently fantastic dining experience for students and staff in line with company standards. Provide outstanding support and guidance to ensure team success.

Commercial Growth : Actively drive sales and revenue growth through the implementation of effective monthly promotions and added-value events.

Compliance & Audit : Ensure full compliance with all company systems, procedures, and relevant legislation. Conduct regular operational audits to verify standards are consistently met.

• Client Relations : Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with both clients and customers, acting as the primary representative for Stir on site.

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a proactive leader who balances culinary passion with demonstrated business capability :

Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management and a track record of achieving demanding sales targets.

A natural, positive leader with proven experience in managing a team and fostering exceptional teamwork.

Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.

Strong knowledge of all current Health & Safety practices within a professional kitchen environment.

Possession of an OND or HND Qualification is preferred, but not essential.