Chef Manager

Sodexo Ltd; Leek; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global services company in Leek is seeking a dynamic Chef Manager to oversee catering and cleaning services. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. This role offers a salary of £35,000 per annum, with benefits including mental health support and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Benefits

Mental health & wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 virtual GP

Discounts for you & family

Financial tools & retirement plan

Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Qualifications

• At least three years’ experience in catering and cleaning management is desirable.
• Proven ability to oversee services meeting KPIs and safety regulations.
• Strong people management skills to drive team performance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of catering and cleaning services to client standards.
• Lead, coach, and mentor staff to achieve high performance.
• Maintain and improve food quality and service standards.
• Manage budgets, control costs, and drive business growth.
• Ensure compliance and conduct regular audits.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Leadership Skills

Customer Focus

Commercial Awareness

Proactive & Hands-On

Education

Holds 706/1 and 706/2 (or equivalent)

Job description

• 40 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 (Early and Late shifts)
• £35,000 per annum
• Free on-site parking
• Meals provided on shift

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and hands-on Chef Manager to ensure the efficient delivery of services to our client, meeting agreed quality and financial targets. This role blends operational leadership with a strong presence in the kitchen to improve food quality, maintain food safety, enhance the customer journey, and drive sales and margins. You will develop and support your people, set and review objectives, and foster a high-performance culture with excellent morale. With a focus on client satisfaction, financial results, and continuous improvement, you will ensure our catering and cleaning operations meet the highest standards.

Check your local transport: Plan Your Journey | Traveline. The destination you should input is ST13 5SP.

What You’ll Do

• Operational Leadership: Oversee the delivery of catering and cleaning services to agreed client standards, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, KPIs, and all relevant health, safety, and food safety regulations.
• Team Management & Development: Lead, coach, and mentor staff to achieve high performance, provide ongoing training, conduct performance reviews, and maintain strong morale and engagement.
• Quality & Customer Experience: Maintain and improve food quality, service standards, and cleanliness, ensuring excellent customer satisfaction through innovative menus, special events, and consistent service delivery.
• Financial & Business Performance: Manage budgets, control labour and purchasing costs, drive sales and margins, and identify opportunities for business growth within the contract and wider market.
• Compliance & Auditing: Ensure statutory and company compliance across catering and cleaning operations, conduct regular audits, and implement corrective actions to achieve top audit scores.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong client relationships, attend meetings, provide reports, and respond proactively to feedback to ensure operational excellence and contract retention.

What You Bring

• Qualified & Experienced: Holds 706/1 and 706/2 (or equivalent) with at least three years’ experience in a similar catering and cleaning management role (desirable but not essential).
• Operational Excellence: Proven ability to oversee catering and cleaning services to the highest standards, meeting KPIs, contractual requirements, and all health, safety, and food safety legislation.
• Leadership Skills: A strong people manager who can coach, mentor, and develop teams, driving performance, morale, and a positive workplace culture.
• Customer Focus: Passionate about delivering exceptional service, improving food quality, and enhancing the customer journey through innovation and attention to detail.
• Commercial Awareness: Skilled at managing budgets, controlling costs, boosting sales and margins, and identifying opportunities for business growth.
• Proactive & Hands-On: Leads by example, builds strong client relationships, resolves issues swiftly, and thrives in a fast-paced, multi-service environment.

What We Offer

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you, you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions, and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
• 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
• Discounts for you & family
• Financial tools & retirement plan
• Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Apply today, start this weekend, and be part of something bigger!

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications