Chef Manager

Etab Recruits; Sunbury-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Etab Recruits is recruiting an experienced Chef Manager to oversee a large education catering operation in Sunbury-on-Thames. The role combines hands-on kitchen work with team and operational management across three service areas, delivering approximately 900 main meals daily and a busy grab-and-go offer for around 300 students.

The ideal candidate will have strong people management skills, experience in education or contract catering, and a passion for fresh, high-quality food.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a catering team in a large operation.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and HACCP standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the catering team across three service areas.
• Oversee delivery of approximately 900 meals per day and a busy grab-and-go service for students.
• Manage food costs, stock, wastage and menu development.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, hygiene and S&H.
• Build strong relationships with the client and site team.

Skills

People management

High-volume catering

Food safety

Job description

Chef Manager - Education Catering

• Location: Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
• Salary: £38,000
• Hours: 45 hours per week
• Contract: 42 weeks per year
• Sector: Education Catering

We are recruiting an experienced Chef Manager to lead a large and busy education catering operation in Sunbury-on-Thames, with approximately 1,700 students on site.

This is a substantial operation with three separate service areas, delivering approximately 900 main meals per day, alongside a busy grab-and-go offer serving around 300 students.

Offering a 42-week contract, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Chef Manager looking for a large-scale operation combined with the benefits of working within the education sector.

The Team

• 1 Chef
• 1 Supervisor
• 7 General Assistants

As Chef Manager, you will be hands-on within the kitchen while taking overall responsibility for the management and performance of the catering operation.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and motivating the catering team
• Overseeing three food service areas
• Delivering approximately 900 main meals per day
• Managing a busy grab-and-go service serving around 300 students
• Producing high-quality, fresh and appealing food
• Menu planning and development
• Managing food costs, stock and wastage
• Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and H&S standards
• Training and developing the catering team
• Building strong relationships with the client and wider site
• Driving participation and continually developing the food offer

About You

We are looking for an experienced Chef Manager, Catering Manager or Senior Chef who is confident managing a high-volume catering operation.

You will ideally have experience within education, contract catering or another high-volume fresh-food environment and be comfortable balancing a hands-on kitchen role with team and operational management.

You will be a strong people manager, commercially aware and passionate about delivering great food and a consistently high standard of service.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a large-scale education catering operation while benefiting from a 42-week working year.