Chef Team Leader

Teesside University; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK university in Tees Valley seeks a passionate Chef Team Leader to manage kitchen operations, maintaining high food standards and supporting a vibrant community. Candidates should possess culinary flair, kitchen management skills, and at least 2 years of experience in fast-paced environments. This role offers professional development opportunities and a supportive work atmosphere.

Benefits

Supportive and inclusive working environment

Professional development and training opportunities

Generous pension scheme

Employee benefits platform with discounts

Family friendly benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast‑paced kitchen environment, ideally in both volume catering and fine dining.
• Strong organisational skills and experience managing food orders and stock.
• At least 2 years kitchen experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the kitchen team during busy daytime service.
• Manage food orders, stock levels, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure food quality, presentation, and hygiene standards are consistently high.

Skills

Culinary flair

Kitchen management

Organisational skills

Team leadership

Job description

Are you a passionate and experienced chef with leadership skills and a love for both high-volume fast food service and fine dining? We’re looking for a Chef Team Leader to join our busy various outlets and event kitchens, where you’ll help deliver outstanding food and service to our vibrant student, staff, and visitor community.

About the Role

As Chef Team Leader, you’ll play a key role in the daily running of our bustling campus restaurants. You will

• Lead and support the kitchen team during busy daytime service
• Manage food orders, stock levels, and supplier relationships
• Ensure food quality, presentation, and hygiene standards are consistently high
• Oversee the preparation and execution of fine dining evening events, including formal dinners and VIP receptions
• Support menu development and contribute to a creative, seasonal offering
• Work closely with front-of-house teams to ensure smooth service and occasionally serving

About You

We're looking for someone who brings both culinary flair and kitchen management skills. You’ll have

• Experience in a fast‑paced kitchen environment, ideally in both volume catering and fine dining
• Strong organisational skills and experience managing food orders and stock
• At least 2 years kitchen experience
• A collaborative, team‑focused attitude and the ability to lead by example
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required for events

Every member of our University is part of the inspiring, supportive, and caring community known as Team Teesside. To learn more about Team Teesside click here – https://www.tees.ac.uk/minisites/team_teesside/index.cfm.

What We Offer

• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Special leave to support a range of circumstances.
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Generous pension scheme
• A range of family friendly benefits
• An employee benefits platform which provides discounts with 350+ retailers and access to health and wellbeing resources.
• A role where your work directly contributes to student life and experiences

More information about our benefits and an employee benefits brochure can be found here – https://www.tees.ac.uk/depts/hr/benefits.cfm.

To apply, please send your CV to Dawn Culley, Head of Catering Services at [e-mail] & Luke Atkinson, Deputy Head of Catering at [e-mail].

This vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is appointed before the closing date. We strongly encourage you to submit your CV as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in‑person interview on campus, which will include a selection test as part of the process.

If you are appointed to the role, you will be required to complete a university application form. This form will be used to create your official employee record.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for University sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.

Please note that we are advertising this vacancy on other websites but we are not using those third parties to collate applications for us. If you are viewing this advert on a third party website please ensure you apply directly to Teesside University.