Chef Manager

Grow and Thrive Limited; Wantage; On-site; GBP 28,033,000 - 37,927,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Apprenticeships

Training courses

Job summary

Miquill is seeking a Chef Manager to take complete financial and operational responsibility for our school's catering facility in Wantage. You will lead from the front, deliver exceptional, creative food, and ensure every mealtime is enjoyable while meeting our high standards.

You will balance cost control with menu development, mentor a team, and drive profitability through effective leadership and compliance with H&S, hygiene and allergens rules.

Qualifications

• Natural, positive manager with experience leading a team in a commercial catering setting.
• Robust financial understanding of gross profit, cost control, and achieving sales targets.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety practices and compliance within a professional kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Operational leadership to inspire, manage and motivate the team to deliver a fantastic dining experience.
• Lead preparation of delicious, nutritious meals and drive menu development and innovation.
• Coach and train staff to build a high-performing, resilient unit.
• Control costs across stock, food and labour to maintain profitability and efficiency.
• Drive sales through monthly promotions and added-value events.
• Build positive relationships with clients and customers as the friendly, expert face of the company.
• Ensure 100% compliance with H&S, hygiene and allergen regulations through regular audits.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Health & safety knowledge

Menu development

Education

OND or HND Qualification, or equivalent management certification

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Wantage

The happiness of our employees is paramount. Our friendly kitchen environments will make you feel supported and part of the Miquill family.

Monday to Friday working—no more weekends!

35 hours working with no late nights.

38 weeks per year based around school term time (more time to spend with friends and family!).

£18 per hour

Your Future Growth:

Work for a fast-growing company that wants you to grow with them.

Benefit from a dedicated L&D team offering apprenticeships and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.

Please note: All staff must share our commitment of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.

Job Introduction

As the Chef Manager, you take complete financial and operational responsibility for your school's catering facility. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be driving profitability and setting the standard for culinary excellence. You’ll lead from the front, deliver exceptional, creative food, and make every school mealtime fun, exciting, and truly memorable.

Main Responsibilities

You will be responsible for the entire catering operation, skillfully balancing inspirational leadership with sharp commercial acumen.

• Operational Leadership: Inspire, manage, and motivate the team to consistently deliver a fantastic dining experience aligned with our high company standards.

Culinary Excellence: Lead the preparation of delicious and nutritious, high-quality meals using our menus, while actively overseeing and driving menu development and innovation.

Team Development: Champion the growth of your unit by leading, coaching, and training all staff in a positive and professional manner, building a resilient, high-performing team.

Commercial Control:Maintain full control over all costs (stock, food, labour). Expertly manage profitability and improve efficiency through rigorous cost control.

Sales & Growth:Drive sales success through exciting monthly promotions and creative added-value events.

Client Relations: Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with clients and customers, acting as the friendly, expert face of Miquill.

Compliance & Audit:Guarantee 100% compliance with all company procedures and statutory legislation (H&S, Hygiene, Allergens), performing regular internal audits.

The Ideal Candidate

We’re seeking a high-calibre professional who shares our passion for great-tasting food and providing exceptional service while maintaining the highest standards.

A natural, positive manager with prior experience effectively managing and motivating a team in a commercial catering setting.

A robust financial understanding of gross profit management, cost control, and a proven track record of achieving sales targets.

Strong, demonstrable craft-based experience using fresh ingredients and maintaining high cooking standards.

Strong, in-depth working knowledge of Health and Safety practices and compliance within a professional kitchen.

OND or HND Qualification, or equivalent management certification, is preferred, but not essential if experience is strong.

About The Company

Miquill is a specialist school catering business born out of passion for great-tasting food since 2009. We’re not just serving lunch; we’re all about providing fresh, delicious and exciting food that brings a healthy dose of fun to the school day!

We're a small, independent, Midlands-based company with a genuine family feel. Building strong relationships is key—that means you are important to us! Your well-being, development, and growth opportunities matter. We focus on rewarding our teams and recognising hard work to make sure you feel happy and valued every day.