Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Swanscombe; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Food Group is seeking a Chef Manager to lead a high-volume school kitchen in New School Location near TN10 area. You will run a busy operation, plan menus, manage stock and budgets, and ensure top-quality meals for hundreds of students each day.

You will lead and develop the catering team, maintain food hygiene and safety standards, and build strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders. This hands-on role requires excellent organisation and leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, preferably in schools or high-volume catering environments.
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Chef Manager

Leadership

High-volume catering

People management

Communication

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.

The role…

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.

• 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