School Chef Manager - Liverpool

Lodestone House; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Lodestone House is seeking an experienced Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at a prestigious independent school. The role offers term-time pattern and a balanced work-life arrangement within a market-leading contract catering environment.

You will manage day-to-day operations, lead a small team and ensure high-quality meals, safety, and cost controls while building strong relationships with pupils, staff and visitors.

Qualifications

• Two years' catering management experience or more.
• Experience leading and developing a small catering team.
• Excellent financial and commercial awareness.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A customer-focused approach with the ability to build lasting relationships.

Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day catering operation, ensuring the highest standards of food quality and customer service.
• Leading, motivating and developing a small catering team to deliver exceptional results.
• Preparing, cooking and serving fresh, nutritious meals to agreed specifications and standards.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, health & safety and company policies.
• Managing food purchasing, stock control and labour costs to achieve financial targets.
• Building positive relationships with the school, pupils, staff and visitors.
• Maintaining a clean, safe and organised kitchen environment.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and customer satisfaction across the catering service.

Skills

Chef skills

Catering management

Financial awareness

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Customer-focused

Food safety knowledge

Microsoft Office

Catering systems

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Catering systems

Job description

Chef Manager – Prestigious Independent School

Term Time Only | Monday to Friday | 41.4 Weeks Per Year

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at a prestigious independent school. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a market‑leading contract caterer, delivering outstanding food and service in a rewarding education environment with an excellent work‑life balance.

What We Offer

• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Term time only (41.4 weeks per year)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Digital GP access for you and your immediate family, plus wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Supermarket discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cash rewards programme across a wide range of retailers
• Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• The opportunity to share discounts and offers with your friends and family

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing the day-to-day catering operation, ensuring the highest standards of food quality and customer service.
• Leading, motivating and developing a small catering team to deliver exceptional results.
• Preparing, cooking and serving fresh, nutritious meals to agreed specifications and standards.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, health & safety and company policies.
• Managing food purchasing, stock control and labour costs to achieve financial targets.
• Building positive relationships with the school, pupils, staff and visitors.
• Maintaining a clean, safe and organised kitchen environment.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and customer satisfaction across the catering service.

About You

• Strong chef skills with a genuine passion for fresh food.
• Previous experience managing a successful catering operation in a similar environment.
• At least two years' catering management experience.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing a small team.
• Excellent financial and commercial awareness.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A customer-focused approach with the ability to build lasting relationships.
• A Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 minimum).
• Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office and catering systems.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards.

If you're an enthusiastic Chef Manager looking for a rewarding role with excellent work‑life balance and the opportunity to make a real difference within a prestigious independent school, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/2807/97507001/52816216/R/SU #Lodestone House

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!