Chef Manager

Aspens Services Ltd; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time hours

Career growth

Training & apprenticeship

Job summary

Aspens Services Ltd. is seeking a Chef Manager for a school catering facility in Stevenage. You will take full operational and financial responsibility, delivering top-quality food and service in a school setting.

Lead a kitchen team, oversee menus and promotions, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. This roles focuses on profitability and exceptional dining experiences for pupils and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience in GP management and driving sales targets.
• Proven line management and people leadership.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Commitment to using fresh ingredients and quality cooking.

Responsibilities

• Financial control: manage stock, food and labour costs.
• Lead and develop kitchen team to deliver excellence.
• Drive culinary innovation through menu planning and promotions.
• Ensure quality standards and regulatory compliance through audits.

Skills

GP management

Team leadership

Health & safety

Fresh ingredients

Menu development

Education

OND/HND

Job description

About us

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals-we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen. Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

The role

We're seeking an ambitious Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility! This role goes beyond the kitchen - it requires a visionary leader with the flair and originality to consistently deliver the highest quality food and service, elevating the dining experience and establishing this as one of the best school catering offers in the region!

Your responsibilities will include

• Financial Control: Managing and improving all controllable costs, including stock, food and labour.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train and inspire your kitchen team to deliver excellence every day.
• Culinary Innovation: Oversee menu development and drive sales through exciting monthly promotions and added-value events.
• Quality Assurance: Guarantee all standards, systems and essential legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.

About you

We're looking for a passionate leader who is ready to drive excellence and profitability. If you're hungry for a role where you can fully own the operation, you'll need:

• A strong understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management and the strategic know-how to smash sales targets.
• Fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.
• Proven experience in line management-you know how to coach, motivate, and inspire to develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.
• A qualification like OND/HND is a bonus.

Company Description

Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist. For over 20 years, the Company has delivered fresh food solutions to pupils and staff at Primary School…

Why Join the Aspens Family

• Great Work-Life Balance: You'll work Monday to Friday during school term time - that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas! 30 hours per week 38 weeks per year - what will you do with all that time off? £14 - £15 per hour
• Career Growth and Development: Join a fast-growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering.
• Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.

Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.