Chef Manager

Compass Group PLC; Solva; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career development programmes

Digital GP & wider healthcare benefits

Travel discounts (TUI, Expedia, etc.)

Cinema tickets discounts

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a Head Chef for a new role at Cawdor Barracks, leading a catering operation serving up to 60 Service Personnel. This hands-on position requires developing a team and managing a well-structured kitchen in a military setting, taking full responsibility for the operation and ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and service delivery.

You will lead a six-person team, train and coach members, and manage stock, audits and compliance, while delivering excellent

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Senior Chef in contract catering.
• Experience leading a kitchen team of six.
• Strong knowledge of stock management, ordering, and auditing.
• Reliable and capable of travelling to site when required.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel.
• Leading a hands-on kitchen operation and setting the standard from the front.
• Managing daily feeding activities in line with contract requirements.
• Line managing and developing a team of 6.
• Training, coaching, and supporting team members to build capability.
• Managing food ordering, stock control, audits, and minimising waste.
• Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards.
• Maintaining compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.
• Taking ownership of kitchen audits, paperwork, and compliance checks.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Stock management

Training & development

Kitchen operations

Job description

We're recruiting a Head Chef for a new role at Cawdor Barracks, leading a catering operation serving up to 60 Service Personnel. This position is ideal for an experienced contract catering chef who enjoys being hands-on, developing their team, and managing a well-structured kitchen in a military environment. You'll take full responsibility for the kitchen operation, leading a team of six and ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and service delivery. What you'll be doing

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
• Leading a hands-on kitchen operation, setting the standard from the front
• Managing daily feeding activities in line with contract requirements
• Line managing and developing a team of 6
• Training, coaching, and supporting team members to build capability and confidence
• Managing food ordering, stock control, audits, and minimising waste
• Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards
• Maintaining full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations
• Taking ownership of kitchen audits, paperwork, and compliance checks
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef, ideally within contract catering
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams
• Strong knowledge of stock management, ordering, and auditing processes
• Confident trainer with experience developing others
• Calm, organised, and comfortable working in a structured catering environment
• Reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing business needs
• Able to travel to site reliably
• Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
• We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families