Chef Manager

Manchester Arndale; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a Chef Manager at John Howard Centre, London, to lead high-quality catering services in a public sector environment. You will manage kitchen operations, develop your team and ensure food quality, service delivery and compliance.

This leadership role focuses on driving performance, building client relationships and ensuring safety, budget control and regulatory standards are met.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering management or chef management.
• Strong budget control and cost management capabilities.
• Good knowledge of food safety and health & safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the catering team, maintaining high standards of performance and customer service.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations ensuring food quality and service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with client, company and legal requirements including H&S and food hygiene.
• Manage budgets across labour, food and materials with cost control.
• Maintain stock levels and accurate stock takes; manage cash handling where applicable.
• Ensure documentation, audits and compliance records are up to date.
• Foster a positive team culture with training, development and performance management.

Skills

Catering management

Team leadership

Budgeting

Food safety

Health & Safety

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.

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• 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

The ideal candidate should meet the following 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:

• 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.