Chef Manager - Northwood

Holroyd Howe; City Of London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contract catering company is seeking an enthusiastic Chef Manager to oversee the Nursery to Year 2 kitchen operations at St Helen's School, ensuring the highest food quality for around 250 pupils daily. This role requires strong leadership, kitchen management skills, and a passion for fresh ingredients. You will manage a small team, plan menus, and ensure compliance with food safety standards. Benefits include 28 days holiday, enhanced maternity leave, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

28 days holiday

3 volunteering days

Grandparent leave

Enhanced maternity leave

Training & development opportunities

Pension & life insurance

Discounts via Perkbox

Free meals while at work

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering.
• Strong kitchen management and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality.
• Manage and support a small kitchen team.
• Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships.
• Deliver fresh, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Food safety standards

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

An innovative Chef Manager is required to run our Nursery to Year 2 kitchen at St Helen's School in Northwood. Feeding around 250 pupils per day. Great opportunity to create wonderful dishes within a excellent kitchen environment. Working with four team members, reporting in to the Head Chef and General Manager on site. Monday to Friday working hours. If you are an inspirational and enthusiastic Chef Manager keen to make a name for yourself within the food service industry, we would love to hear from you! Why Join Us?

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

• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 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

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.
• Adhere to our respectful codes of conduct in dealing with clients, customers, suppliers, business partners, and each other.
• Bring fresh thinking and new ideas for food, service, and ways of working to help maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
• 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.

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.
• Demonstrated right to work in the United Kingdom.