Chef Manager

Wes Rice: Development + Design; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An ambitious and fast-growing company seeks a dedicated Chef Manager to lead a school catering team. This role offers the opportunity to create exceptional food experiences while enjoying fantastic hours, working Monday to Friday during term time. You'll have full operational responsibility, focusing on quality and innovation in the kitchen. With a supportive environment for skill development and no late nights, this position is perfect for those passionate about food and service. Join a team where your career can flourish and make a real impact on children's dining experiences.

Benefits

No late nights

38 weeks off per year

Dedicated L&D team for skill development

Apprenticeships and training courses available

Qualifications

• Passion for delivering exceptional food and service to schools.
• Experience in managing kitchen operations and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team to deliver high-quality food.
• Manage catering operations including stock and costs.
• Oversee menu development and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Craft based experience

Knowledge of health and safety practices

Financial understanding of gross profit management

Line management experience

Experience within a similar environment

Education

OND or HND qualification

Job description

Job Introduction

About Us:

Aspens Services Ltd is a market leading contract catering company specialising in school food. By combining our understanding of the education sector and our knowledge of what’s on trend in the food world, we encourage creativity and excitement in our kitchens, allowing our teams to do what they do best and provide fantastic food experiences for the children.

By providing excellent care and services to both clients and children, we have ensured the successful growth of the company and to keep up with the rapid pace of this growth, we are now looking for an experienced Chef Manager to join the team.

The role:

As the Chef Manager you will have full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility, focusing on delivering the highest quality of food and service as well as having the flair, originality and the ability to make this one of the best school catering offers in the area.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Leading, developing, coaching, training, and motivating the team in your kitchen
2. Having full control of the catering operation including stock, food, and labour costs
3. Ensuring consistency of food and service standards delivered to the students and staff
4. Driving sales through monthly promotions and added value events
5. Managing and improving all controllable costs
6. Overseeing menu development
7. Maintaining company systems & procedures, and legislation
8. Carrying out regular audits to ensure standards are being met

About you:

We need someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional food and service to our schools along with the following skills and experience:

1. OND or HND qualified (not a deal-breaker but would be advantageous)
2. Craft based experience using fresh ingredients
3. Knowledge of health and safety practices
4. Financial understanding of gross profit management and achieving sales targets
5. Line management experience
6. Experience within a similar environment

Why join us?

Firstly, fantastic hours. You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time meaning more time with friends and family and no working at Christmas!

This role is:

1. 32.5 hours per week – with no late nights
2. Working 38 weeks per year based around term time – what could you do with all that time off?
3. £14 per hour

You’ll also benefit from:

1. Working for a fast growing, ambitious company. There is no ceiling here in terms of where you can take your career
2. A dedicated L&D team to support you in developing your skills including apprenticeships and training courses that are available for everyone.

Please note, we do expect all staff to share our commitment of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.