Executive Chef

NHS; Buckler's Park; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Buckler's Park is looking for an Executive Chef Manager to lead catering operations. You will manage patient meal services, retail offerings, and hospitality catering while ensuring high food safety standards. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of relevant experience and a recognized industry qualification. This is a full-time permanent position with a salary range of £44,485 to £52,521 per year.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar environment.
• Leadership or Supervisor qualification required.
• HACCP knowledge and health & safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee catering operations and team management.
• Drive operational excellence and maintain service standards.
• Manage performance reports and coordinate staff rotas.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Education

Recognized industry degree or equivalent

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Overview

The Executive Chef Manager plays a critical, customer- and patient-facing leadership role, serving as the frontline manager for all Catering, Retail, and Central Estates & Facilities related operations within their designated area. This is a dynamic operational position that requires both strategic oversight and direct engagement with service delivery. Operating the catering department as a distinct business unit, the post holder is accountable for ensuring seamless performance across all teams involved in catering, retail, and hospitality services. This includes driving operational excellence, fostering team cohesion, and maintaining high standards of service. In addition to managerial responsibilities, the role demands a proactive, hands-on approach. The Executive Chef Manager is expected to step into kitchen-based roles when needed, providing direct support to staff and ensuring continuity of service. The successful candidate will be instrumental in delivering exceptional patient and customer satisfaction across the following key service areas:

• Patient meal services
• Staff restaurant and retail offerings
• Hospitality and event catering
• Retail vending operations

Main duties

The Executive Chef Manager holds comprehensive responsibility for overseeing catering operations, ensuring that all service activities are strategically planned, delegated, and executed efficiently. This includes supervising departmental teams, supporting supervisory staff, and managing the Senior Chef through effective line management. The role involves compiling performance reports and statistical data for senior leadership, while also coordinating rotas to align skilled personnel with operational needs. A key focus is maintaining high standards in food production, presentation, and waste management, while meeting departmental KPIs across finance, HR, procurement, and customer satisfaction. In addition, the post holder leads initiatives to uphold food service standards, including annual menu reviews that reflect dietary and cultural requirements, with input from dieticians and patient feedback. They champion healthy eating by offering informed choices and ensure professional communication through marketing materials and staff training. The role also includes managing retail offerings and conducting biannual satisfaction surveys to drive service improvements. Quality assurance is maintained through rigorous internal and external audits, adherence to HACCP protocols, and compliance with food safety legislation. The Executive Chef Manager is expected to foster a culture of excellence, sustainability, and customer engagement across all catering services.

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation. Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m. The Trust is rated as Good overall by the Care Quality Commission, with Forensic services rated Outstanding. The Trust is an established partner in the North West London Integrated Care System and leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Details

Date posted: 29 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £44,485 to £52,521 a year inclusive of allowances

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 222-HSS-E&F-020-A

Job locations: Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, RG45 7ET

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• GCSE at grade C or above or Level 3 qualification (QCF) with functional skills or equivalent experience;
• Recognised industry degree or equivalent level qualification with relevant experience and supplementary courses;
• Leadership or Supervisor qualification: Level 3 (QCF); Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate; Level 2 Health and Safety.

Desirable

• Level 2/3/4 Food Hygiene Certificate, Apprenticeship/NVQ (QCF);
• Willingness to work towards a suitable level in a technical and/or leadership qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar environment; line management in estates/facility management service delivery.

Desirable

• Minimum 2 years in a specialist environment (e.g., sous chef/food production manager, budgeting and rota management);
• Experience in a secure mental health setting.

Knowledge

Essential

• HACCP knowledge; health and safety, COSHH regulations, manual handling, working at height; NHS/public sector awareness;
• IT proficiency and numeracy/written/verbal skills.

Desirable

• Fine dining/hospitality courses; procurement/HR applications; NHS PLACE audit process; current food trends; NHS food and drink strategy; healthy eating guidelines.

Skills

Essential

• Interpersonal skills to engage and motivate staff; good time management, attention to detail, prioritisation;
• Effective communication with patients, colleagues, visitors, and external organisations; flexible team player.

Other requirements

• Willingness to learn; knowledge of diverse cuisines; hands-on approach.

Disclosures

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a DBS disclosure.

Employer details

West London NHS Trust, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, RG45 7ET

Employer website: West London NHS Trust