Chef Manager - Dorking

Holroyd Howe; Dorking; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK contract caterer is seeking an experienced Chef Manager to oversee kitchen operations at RGS Surrey Hills in Dorking. The role involves managing a kitchen team, ensuring high quality food service, and compliance with health and safety standards. The ideal candidate should have experience in contract catering, strong leadership skills, and a passion for using fresh ingredients. This position offers various benefits including training opportunities, pension plans, and employee discounts.

Benefits

3 volunteering days

Enhanced maternity leave

Bespoke training opportunities

Pension & life insurance

Employee discounts

Free meals

Career development programs

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering.
• Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Excellent knowledge of allergen management and sustainability best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring highest standards of food quality and safety.
• Manage a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment.
• Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships.

Skills

Strong kitchen management and leadership skills

Excellent organisational and communication skills

Knowledge of food safety standards

Job description

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Chef Manager to lead the kitchen team at RGS Surrey Hills. You will be responsible for managing day-to-day kitchen operations, delivering fresh, high-quality meals, and ensuring exceptional food service for pupils, staff, and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
• Manage and support a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment
• Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships
• Maintain accurate financial records including budgets, ordering, and stock rotation
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
• Work collaboratively with the school community to provide a friendly and efficient catering experience, Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.

Fresh thinking New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.

In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering, ideally the Independent Education sector
• Strong kitchen management and leadership skills
• Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create balanced, appealing menus
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices

You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh, innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.

Our mission is simple: To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.

Benefits

• 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
• 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
• 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
• Bespoke training & development opportunities
• Pension & life insurance
• Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
• Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
• Free meals while at work
• Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels