Chef Manager

Etab Recruits; Woking; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Etab Recruits is seeking a Chef Manager for a large education catering operation in Woking. You will lead a busy team delivering ~500 mains and 1,100 Grab & Go items daily across multiple service points.

You will drive engagement with students and stakeholders, develop menus, and manage budgets while maintaining high food safety standards and a strong food offer.

Qualifications

• Experience as Chef Manager, Catering Manager or Head Chef in education or high-volume catering.
• Strong leadership and front-line presence, able to manage a sizeable operation.
• Background in education catering is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the catering team.
• Manage a busy, high-volume education operation.
• Oversee food production across multiple service points.
• Develop menus to keep the offer fresh and engaging.
• Control ordering, stock, labour and budgets.
• Maintain food safety, allergen and H&S standards.
• Build relationships with client and stakeholders.
• Drive participation and identify service improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food safety

Allergen management

Budgeting

People development

Client relations

Job description

Chef Manager - Education Catering

Woking, Surrey

£40,000 + up to 10% bonus

Term Time Only | 45 hours per week

£40,000, term time only AND a bonus of up to 10% - this is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Chef Manager looking for their next challenge in education catering.

I'm recruiting for a Chef Manager to take responsibility for a large, busy education catering operation in Woking.

Catering for around 1,570 students across primary, secondary and sixth form, this is a high-volume operation producing approximately 500 main meals and 1,100 Grab & Go items each day across multiple food offers and service points.

This role needs someone who can combine great food, strong leadership and commercial awareness. You'll lead the catering team, take ownership of the day-to-day operation and continue to develop an engaging food offer that students genuinely want to eat.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading, motivating and developing the catering team
• Managing a busy, high-volume food operation
• Overseeing food production across multiple service points
• Developing menus and keeping the food offer fresh and engaging
• Managing ordering, stock, labour and budgets
• Maintaining excellent food safety, allergen and H&S standards
• Building strong relationships with the client and key stakeholders
• Driving participation and identifying opportunities to develop the service

What I'm looking for:

You could currently be working as a Chef Manager, Catering Manager, Head Chef, Executive Chef or Chef Catering Manager within education, contract catering or another high-volume environment.

You'll need to be a confident leader who is comfortable managing a sizeable operation while still being passionate about food and happy to lead from the front.

Previous education catering experience would be a real advantage, although candidates from other high-volume contract catering environments will also be considered