Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Uniform provided

Ongoing training and career progress

Staff discount scheme across retailers

Job summary

Impact Food Group in Portsmouth is seeking a Chef Manager to lead a high-volume school kitchen at Portsmouth Academy. You’ll be responsible for running the kitchen, managing the catering team, and delivering fresh, seasonal meals to hundreds of students each day.

This hands-on leadership role requires strong standards, organisational skills, and a proactive approach to service. The role offers daytime hours (7am-4pm), Monday to Friday, with 42 teaching weeks per year.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments.
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes.
• Strong people management and team leadership skills.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop catering team.
• Prepare and serve fresh, seasonal meals at high volume.
• Plan menus, manage stock, and control budgets.
• Ensure food hygiene, safety and compliance.
• Build relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders.
• Oversee service from prep to finish.

Skills

High-volume catering

Team leadership

Food safety

Menu planning

Stock management

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG)is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers,serving aroundone million students every dayacross more than1,500 schools.We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands includeInnovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

The role…

Job Title: ChefManager

School Location: Portsmouth Academy, PO1

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-4pm (45hours per week)

Working Weeks: 42weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks)

Pay Details: £35,000 Annum

What will I be doing?

As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to hundreds of students every day. This is a hands‑on, leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain high standards, and ensure smooth, efficient service.

This site has hospitality - so you you will need to be a chef with a flair for food

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals at high volume
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish

We’re not in the business of making school food—we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our customers love us.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-volume catering and strong leadership skills.

• Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
• Proven ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and compliance
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and pride in maintaining high standards

If you thrive in fast‑paced environments and enjoy leading teams to deliver great food, this could be the role for you.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a fantastic work‑life balance:

• Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
• All school holidays off
• Free meals on shift and uniform provided

Plus, you’ll benefit from:

• Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
• Access to free qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers

This is your opportunity to lead a high-volume kitchen, develop your career, and make a real difference in students’ lives.

Please note: An interview, trade test and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are requiredtoundergo an enhancedDBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We area committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail withinyourapplication. Allinformation is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.