Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Lutton; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education catering company is seeking a Chef Manager to oversee kitchen operations at schools. The role involves leading a team, cooking with fresh ingredients, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Enjoy a work-life balance with daytime hours and weekends off, along with various benefits including free meals and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Mileage paid at 45p/mile

Free meals on shift

Uniform provided

Pension plan

Staff discounts at over 850 retailers

Monthly team competitions for vouchers

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and motivational skills.
• Strong cooking skills with fresh ingredients.
• Financial skills for managing stocks and menus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team at a school.
• Cook from the menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Manage stock, rotas, and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking

Financial Management

Organisational Skills

Food Hygiene

Education

Food Hygiene and Preparation Qualifications

Job description

Welcome to IFG, one of the fastest-growing education catering companies in the country, recently awarded Contract Caterer of the Year 2025 at the Contract Catering Awards.

We are looking for passionate individuals to help us serve better food to children. Due to growth, we are recruiting additional Chef Managers to join our team. Initially, you will assist with mobilising new sites in September, then move to head up a school team locally as Chef Manager.

About the Role

Job Title: Chef Manager

Supporting Area: Plymouth & surrounding areas

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Hours: 6.30am/7am start, flexible shifts, approximately 45 hours/week

Working Weeks: 42 weeks/year (term time, inset days, plus 3 weeks for deep cleans, stock, and prep)

Pay: £35,000/year

Benefits: Mileage paid at 45p/mile during mobilisations, free meals on shift, uniform, pension, and other benefits. Full driving license and own vehicle required initially.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team at a school
• Cook from our menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Manage stock, rotas, and staff
• Ensure health and safety, food safety, and hygiene standards
• Maintain financial targets for GP/COGs
• Represent IFG to the client

Skills & Qualifications

• Proven leadership and motivational skills
• Strong cooking skills
• Financial skills for managing stocks and menus
• Ability to work under challenging environments while maintaining standards
• Excellent organisational and admin skills
• Food hygiene and preparation qualifications essential

Candidate Profile

We welcome experienced Chef Managers used to cooking with fresh ingredients at volume (300+), managing kitchens, and liaising with clients. You will lead your team to ensure smooth service and compliance with all regulations.

What We Offer

Enjoy working close to home, daytime hours, weekends and school holidays off for great work-life balance. Free shift meals, uniform, career development opportunities, staff discounts at over 850 retailers, and monthly team competitions for vouchers.

Next Steps

If you meet the criteria and are interested, we would love to hear from you. An interview, trade test, and kitchen visit are part of the process. Successful candidates will undergo an enhanced DBS check, paid for by IFG. We are an equal opportunities employer and support applicants requiring assistance during the process. All data is confidential and GDPR compliant.