Chef Manager

Stirfood; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Stir is seeking a Chef Manager to lead the site, balancing culinary excellence with strong business acumen. You will drive profitability through cost control, menu development, and staff leadership, delivering high-quality meals and service for students and staff.

You will motivate a team, maintain safety standards, and push commercial growth via promotions. The role emphasizes safeguarding responsibilities and DBS disclosure as part of the on-site leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management.
• Proven experience leading a team in a catering operation.
• Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.
• Solid knowledge of health and safety practices in a professional kitchen.
• OND or HND qualification preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and motivate staff to deliver high-quality dining experiences.
• Drive financial performance by controlling stock, food, and labour costs.
• Oversee menu development and ensure use of fresh, sustainable ingredients.
• Implement monthly promotions and events to grow sales and revenue.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and relevant legislation.
• Build strong relationships with clients and act as Stir on site.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Team management

Health & safety

Culinary craft

Education

OND or HND

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!

30 hours working with no late nights.

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

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.