Chef Manager

OCS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-Winning Employer

Digital Learning

Retail Perks

Professional Growth

Flexible Pay

Job summary

OCS is seeking a Chef Manager in London to lead a public sector catering operation at John Howard Centre, Monday to Friday with some weekend availability. You’ll manage the kitchen, develop the team, maintain food quality and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

You will drive performance, strengthen client relationships and ensure efficient operation, cost control and service excellence across all meals and shifts.

Qualifications

• Must have the Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
• Proven experience in a catering management or chef management role.
• Strong understanding of budget control, cost management and P&L performance.
• Good knowledge of food safety, Health & Safety and compliance requirements.
• Leadership experience, with the ability to manage, motivate and develop teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the catering team, promoting high standards of performance, presentation and customer service.
• Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring food quality, consistency and service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with all client, company and legal requirements, including Health & Safety and food hygiene standards.
• Manage budgets across labour, food and materials, ensuring cost control and efficient resource use.
• Maintain effective cash handling and financial controls where applicable.
• Conduct accurate stock takes and manage stock levels effectively.
• Ensure all statutory documentation, audits and compliance records are maintained.
• Foster a positive team culture, supporting training, development and performance management.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget control

Food safety knowledge

Team development

Communication skills

Job description

About The Role

Days of Working: This position will be based at John Howard Centre, London, working Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 5.00, with some availability on weekends.

As a Chef Manager at OCS, you will take the lead in delivering high-quality catering services within a public sector environment. You will be responsible for managing kitchen operations, leading and developing your team, and ensuring food quality, service delivery and compliance are consistently delivered to the highest standards.

This is a leadership role where you will drive performance, maintain strong client relationships and ensure the catering operation runs efficiently, safely and in line with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the catering team, promoting high standards of performance, presentation and customer service
• Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring food quality, consistency and service excellence
• Ensure compliance with all client, company and legal requirements, including Health & Safety and food hygiene standards
• Manage budgets across labour, food and materials, ensuring cost control and efficient resource use
• Maintain effective cash handling and financial controls where applicable
• Conduct accurate stock takes and manage stock levels effectively
• Ensure all statutory documentation, audits and compliance records are maintained
• Foster a positive team culture, supporting training, development and performance management

Ideal Candidate Criteria

• Must have the Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check
• Proven experience in a catering management or chef management role
• Strong understanding of budget control, cost management and P&L performance
• Good knowledge of food safety, Health & Safety and compliance requirements
• Leadership experience, with the ability to manage, motivate and develop teams
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Ability to manage a fast-paced catering operation and prioritise workload effectively

Desirable Skills

• Membership of the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) or Healthcare Catering Association (HCA) (or working towards)
• Intermediate or Advanced Food Hygiene certification
• Health & Safety qualifications (e.g. IOSH)
• Catering qualifications such as City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent
• Experience within public sector or healthcare catering environments

Why join OCS?

OCS are ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For in 2025, reflecting our commitment to creating a workplace where our colleagues feel supported and valued.

We are passionate about developing our people. Through the OCS Academy, you’ll have access to learning opportunities that support your personal development and career progression.

With the Hapi app, you can access a wide range of discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.