Chef Manager

Stirfood; Tandridge; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time schedule

35 hours per week

No weekend shifts

Learning & Development opportunities

Job summary

Stirfood is seeking a Chef Manager to lead a school catering site, balancing culinary excellence with strong cost controls and business acumen. You will drive menu development, staff leadership, and on-site client relations, ensuring top standards and profitability.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality meals using fresh ingredients, while promoting growth through promotions and a structured, term-time schedule. DBS disclosure is required.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a team-based kitchen.
• Strong understanding of gross profit management.
• Knowledge of current Health & Safety practices in a professional kitchen.
• Experience in school catering or similar environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive the catering unit's performance including cost controls.
• Lead and develop staff to deliver high-quality meals.
• Develop menus using fresh, sustainable ingredients.
• Drive sales growth through promotions and events.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and safety audits.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Health & Safety knowledge

Client relations

Education

OND or HND Qualification (preferred)

Job description

As Chef Manager, you will be the point of leadership for your site. This pivotal role demands culinary mastery combined with sharp business acumen. You will place emphasis on delivering the highest quality food and service, leveraging your creative flair, originality, and leadership to make a significant stir in the school catering industry.

Role Responsibility

The Chef Manager drives performance across all facets of the catering unit:

Financial Command (P&L):Assume full control of the catering operation, including managing and improving all controllable costs (stock, food, and labour) to ensure maximum profitability.

Culinary & Menu Excellence: Lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals utilising our fresh and sustainable ingredients. Oversee and guide continuous menu development.

Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and motivate all staff, setting a positive tone and guaranteeing a consistently fantastic dining experience for students and staff in line with company standards. Provide outstanding support and guidance to ensure team success.

Commercial Growth:Actively drive sales and revenue growth through the implementation of effective monthly promotions and added-value events.

Compliance & Audit:Ensure full compliance with all company systems, procedures, and relevant legislation. Conduct regular operational audits to verify standards are consistently met.

• Client Relations:Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with both clients and customers, acting as the primary representative for Stir on site.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a proactive leader who balances culinary passion with demonstrated business capability:

Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management and a track record of achieving demanding sales targets.

A natural, positive leader with proven experience in managing a team and fostering exceptional teamwork.

Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.

Strong knowledge of all current Health and Safety practices within a professional kitchen environment.

Possession of an OND or HND Qualification is preferred, but not essential.

Package Description

At Stir, we give our teams the time, freedom, and tools they need to feel pride in their work every single day! You'll also benefit from a true commitment to work-life balance:

Monday to Friday working only—say goodbye to all weekend shifts!

35 hours working with no late nights.

39 working weeks per year, structured around the term-time calendar (maximising time with family and friends!).

£25,000 per annum

Join a fast-growing, ambitious company dedicated to supporting your long-term career development.

Access to our dedicated Learning & Development team for apprenticeships and advanced training courses available to all staff.

Crucial Note: We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. This role requires a mandatory enhanced DBS disclosure. Due to high demand for this key position, the role may be filled before the official closing date.

About the Company

We’re a specialised school catering company with a deep passion for high-quality food, dedicated to fostering a community spirit and driving a mission to instil pride back into school kitchens across the UK.

Our success is powered by an exceptional and highly valued team. We boast a diverse range of experts, skills, and abilities, all united by our common goal of creating a significant impact and stirring innovation within education catering.

We are committed to maintaining uncompromisingly high standards—both in the culinary excellence of the food we serve and in the professional management and safety of our kitchen environments. This commitment is supported by our dedicated team and reinforced through regular support and targeted training, ensuring our on-site teams possess the precise skills needed to deliver the performance we expect.

We actively seek individuals with creative initiative and growth ambition. We offer exciting opportunities designed to attract strategic thinkers and bold movers ready to advance their careers with us. If this vision resonates with you, we encourage you to connect with our team.