Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Swanscombe; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daytime hours

Free meals on shift

Uniform provided

Staff discount scheme

Job summary

Impact Food Group is recruiting a Chef Manager to lead a high-volume kitchen in a school setting, delivering fresh, seasonal meals for hundreds of students each day. You will manage a team, maintain high standards and ensure smooth service for term-time operation.

The role requires strong leadership, kitchen operations experience, and excellent organisation to plan menus, control stock and budgets while upholding food hygiene and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a high-volume kitchen
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Ability to plan menus, manage stock and budgets
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Hands-on approach with pride in high standards

Responsibilities

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

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

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

Job Title: Chef Manager

School Location: New School Location near TN10 area

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 6:30am-4pm (45 hours per week)

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

Pay Details: £38,000 per 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.

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 required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.