Chef Manager

Compass Group UK; Reigate; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Free onsite parking

Contributory pension

Career development

Digital GP

Travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Cinema tickets

Wellness classes

Friends & family discounts

Job summary

Compass Group UK, in Reigate, is seeking a Chef Manager to lead the kitchen and drive exceptional food quality and service. You’ll manage day-to-day operations, budgets, and a high-performing team while staying hands-on in the kitchen.

We’re looking for a hands-on leader with strong commercial acumen, health and safety knowledge, and a track record of delivering great client experiences in contract catering. Up to £50,000 salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience as Chef Manager, Head Chef, or senior Sous Chef ready to advance.
• Strong culinary skills and passion for high-quality food.
• Hands-on leader who motivates and develops others.
• Commercial awareness with budgeting and cost control experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, proactive problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high standards of food quality, presentation, and service.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients to exceed expectations.
• Manage budgets, food costs, GP, and financial performance.
• Oversee stock control, purchasing, and waste reduction to maximise efficiency.
• Drive retail and hospitality sales and identify revenue opportunities.
• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team and culture.
• Ensure health and safety, food safety, and company procedures are followed.
• Monitor performance using data/feedback to identify improvements.
• Act as brand ambassador, promoting the site and delivering exceptional customer experience.

Skills

Chef leadership

Kitchen management

Cost control

Team development

Customer service

Health & safety

Contract catering

Job description

Chef Manager – Reigate | Up to £50,000

Passionate about great food and ready to take the next step? We’re looking for a talented Chef Manager in Reigate, offering up to £50,000!

Take the lead in a role where you can combine your culinary expertise, passion for great food, and strong commercial and operational leadership. As Chef Manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the kitchen and day-to-day operation, ensuring exceptional food quality, outstanding service, and an excellent client experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Head Chef looking to broaden their commercial expertise while remaining hands‑on in the kitchen and leading a successful, high‑performing team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deliver consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and customer service.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring their expectations are exceeded.
• Manage budgets, food costs, GP, and overall financial performance.
• Oversee stock control, purchasing, and waste reduction to maximise efficiency.
• Drive retail and hospitality sales, identifying opportunities to grow revenue.
• Lead, inspire, and develop your team, creating a positive and high‑performing culture.
• Ensure full compliance with health & safety, food safety, and company procedures.
• Monitor operational performance, using data and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Act as a brand ambassador, promoting the site and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience as a Chef Manager, Head Chef, or accomplished Sous Chef ready to take the next step.
• Exceptional culinary skills and a genuine passion for delivering high-quality food.
• A hands‑on leader who enjoys motivating, developing, and inspiring others.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets and controlling costs.
• The ability to build positive client relationships and deliver excellent customer service.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• A thorough understanding of health & safety and food safety legislation.
• Experience within contract catering would be an advantage, although it’s not essential.

What’s In It For You?

• Up to £50,000 salary
• Free meals
• Free onsite car parking
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits for you and your immediate family
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com, and many more
• Discounts on your food shop with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cash rewards across a wide range of brands
• Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
• Discounts and offers that can be shared with friends and family

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together.Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

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