College Chef Supervisor

East Lancashire Learning Group; Pendleton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to workplace pension

Generous annual leave

Enhanced sick pay

Health and wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

East Lancashire Learning Group’s Nelson & Colne College campus seeks a College Chef Supervisor to lead the catering team, plan menus, and ensure high standards of food safety and service.

You will work 35 hours per week across 42 weeks per year, reporting to the Catering Manager, with responsibility for day-to-day kitchen operations, service, and events.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths and English (or equivalent) and a basic food hygiene certificate.
• NVQ Level 2 Catering or equivalent qualification.
• Strong preparation and cooking skills in a fast-paced catering environment.
• Experience with stock control, ordering supplies and ensuring stock availability.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• COSHH knowledge and food hygiene requirements.
• Competent IT skills.
• Suitability to work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Catering Manager to improve and grow the college Refectory offer for learners and staff.
• Oversee daily food preparation, ensuring high standards of taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
• Prepare and cook high-quality food while developing and refreshing menu ideas reflecting current trends.
• Ensure kitchen operates efficiently during service with strong teamwork and communication.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations in the Catering Manager’s absence.
• Assist with organisation and delivery of college events and hospitality.
• Lead and assist with preparation, cooking and service arrangements within the Refectory.

Skills

Catering prep & cooking

Customer service

IT skills

Stock management

Working with children/vulnerable

Education

GCSEs incl Maths & English

NVQ Level 2 Catering

Tools

Food hygiene cert

Job description

College Chef Supervisor

Salary: Up to £24,187.64 per annum (£27,604.26 full time equivalent), depending on experience
Hours: 35 per week
Working Weeks: 42 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Site: Nelson & Colne College
Closing Date: Midnight – Tuesday 15 September 2026
Interview Date: Friday 25 September 2026

‘Together, Let’s Be Extraordinary’

Our Organisation

This role is advertised by ELLG Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider Group.

Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, Nelson and Colne College has a national reputation for educational success and is seen within the Further Education sector as a beacon of excellence for teaching and learning. We offer an outstanding range of A Levels, vocational courses, Apprenticeships and Higher Education provision and generations of families have benefited from an exceptional education at Nelson and Colne College.

The Exciting Role

As a key member of the Catering Team, you will play a vital role in delivering an outstanding food service experience for learners, staff and visitors. Working closely with the Catering Manager and Refectory Team Leader, you’ll play a pivotal role in preparing and serving high-quality, nutritious food, developing exciting and contemporary menus, and bringing fresh ideas inspired by current food trends. As a Supervisor, you’ll support and motivate the Catering Team, ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly, efficiently and safely while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation and hygiene.

The role will be based at our Nelson & Colne College campus however, travel across sites may be required.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Work alongside the Catering Manager to help improve and grow the college Refectory offer for our learners and staff.
• Oversee daily food preparation, ensuring high standards of taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
• Prepare and cook high-quality food, while developing and refreshing menus ideas that reflect current food trends, to enhance the learner experience while catering for any dietary requirements.
• Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently during service, with strong teamwork and communication
• Oversee the day to day running of the kitchen in the absence of the Catering Manager.
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of college events and hospitality.
• Lead and assist the Catering Team with the preparation, cooking and service arrangements within the Refectory.

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum of 4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent) including grade C/4 in Maths and English and a basic food hygiene certificate
• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) Catering qualification
• Strong preparation and cooking skills within a fast-paced catering environment
• Experience of managing stock control, including monitoring levels, ordering supplies and ensuring adequate stock availability.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Comprehensive understanding of COSHH and food hygiene requirements
• Competent IT skills
• Suitability to work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults

What We Offer in Return:

• Access to a workplace pension scheme – with generous employer contributions
• Generous annual leave allowance including a two-week closure over the Christmas period
• Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
• Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
• Free on-site parking on all College sites

All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children.