Chef Manager - Daventry

Eurest; Daventry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurest seeks a hands-on Chef Manager to lead the Daventry catering operation. You will run a small team, manage daily service, and take full responsibility for the site’s commercial and operational performance.

You will be hands-on with breakfast and lunch, manage stock and costs, and ensure health & safety and allergen compliance while delivering excellent client service.

Qualifications

• Hands-on catering leadership experience is required.
• Experience leading a small team with HR responsibilities.
• Strong stock control, ordering and cost management knowledge.
• Experience managing or contributing to P&L and financial performance.
• Excellent knowledge of health & safety, food safety and allergen compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering and site operations for a smooth service.
• Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch.
• Lead, support and develop a small team including HR tasks.
• Manage stock, orders, stocktakes and minimise waste.
• Take full P&L responsibility and monitor financial performance.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, food safety and allergen standards.
• Provide training and role clarity to the team.
• Oversee vending operations and ensure positive customer experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve the offer and grow the site.
• Ensure site standards are met and align with Eurest/Compass Group.
• Support wider Eurest team and site performance.

Skills

People management

Cost control

P&L management

Food service

Health & safety

Client relationships

Communication

Independent decision-making

Job description

Chef Manager

Location: Daventry

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 07:00–15:30

Break: 30 minutes

Occasional Saturdays: Client requests Saturday cover on an ad-hoc basis; you will not be required to work Saturdays, but you will be responsible for ensuring appropriate cover is in place.

About The Role

Are you a passionate and hands-on Chef Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to make your mark on a new site?

Eurest is looking for an experienced, organised and customer-focused Chef Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day catering operation at our site in Daventry.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on, leading a small team and building strong relationships with clients, while also having full responsibility for the commercial and operational performance of the site.

You will play a key role in supporting the development and success of this new operation, ensuring we deliver an excellent food offer, outstanding customer service and strong financial performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing the day-to-day catering and site operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient service.
• Taking a hands-on approach to preparing and serving breakfast and lunch.
• Leading, supporting and developing a small team, including responsibility for relevant HR processes and people management.
• Managing stock control, ordering and regular stocktakes, ensuring effective cost control and minimising waste.
• Taking full P&L responsibility, monitoring financial performance and identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
• Building and maintaining strong, positive client relationships.
• Ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, food safety, allergen and company standards.
• Ensuring all team members receive appropriate training and understand their responsibilities.
• Overseeing the vending operation, ensuring it is well stocked, maintained and delivers a positive customer experience.
• Identifying opportunities to improve the offer, increase engagement and support the growth and development of the new site.
• Ensuring all contractual and company standards are consistently achieved.
• Supporting the wider Eurest team and taking ownership of the site's overall performance.

About You

We're looking for someone who is hands-on, proactive and commercially aware, with the confidence to take ownership of a catering operation.

You’ll Ideally Have

• Previous experience in a Chef Manager, Catering Manager or similar catering management role.
• Strong experience within a catering or hospitality environment.
• Experience of leading and managing a small team, including people and HR responsibilities.
• Good knowledge of stock control, ordering, stocktakes and cost management.
• Experience managing or contributing to P&L and financial performance.
• Strong food preparation and service skills, with a passion for delivering a quality food offer.
• Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety, food safety and allergen compliance.
• The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and customers.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A proactive approach, with the ability to work independently and make decisions.
• A genuine desire to develop and grow a new site and make a positive impact from day one.

Why Join Eurest?

This is more than just a Chef Manager position it's an opportunity to take ownership of a new operation and help shape its future.

You’ll have the autonomy to make a difference, develop your team, build a strong client partnership and influence the success of the site, while being supported by the wider Eurest and Compass Group network.

The working pattern is Monday to Friday, 07:00–15:30, giving you a great work-life balance. The site has a yearly shutdown around Christmas and New Year, and bank holidays are not worked.

If you're an experienced catering professional who combines great food, strong leadership, commercial awareness and excellent customer service, we’d love to hear from you.