Executive Chef

HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference); Market Harborough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Market Harborough seeks an experienced Executive Chef to manage kitchen operations, maintain high food standards, and innovate menus while leading the catering team. This full-time role requires strong leadership and organizational skills, with generous benefits including professional development opportunities and on-site facilities access.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Group personal pension scheme

Diverse training and professional development programme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free use of Sports Centre facilities

Free school lunch and refreshments

On-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

Free eye tests and annual flu vaccination

Access to school library

Access to school events

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a kitchen and catering service.
• Ability to innovate menus and motivate staff.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of high standards of food and service.
• Develop catering service through menu innovation.
• Train and motivate kitchen staff.

Job description

Overview

St Helen and St Katharine has an extraordinary opportunity for an experienced, skilled, hands-on Executive Chef to lead our kitchen and continue the provision of excellent food at the School.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced, skilled, hands-on Executive Chef to lead our kitchen and to manage all catering on site during the school term. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the right individual to join and lead a well-established and successful team and further develop catering provisions within School.

The Executive Chef is a pivotal role within the School. The excellence of the food at St Helen’s has long been an important driver of student recruitment as well as pastoral and physical well-being. We are now looking for an individual who wants to take this provision even further.

This role is full-time, term-time plus 4 weeks and we are looking for the successful candidate to start work from November 2025.

Main responsibilities

The Executive Chef is required to successfully manage the delivery of the highest possible standards of food and service to students, staff and visitors within pre-agreed budgetary targets. They will be responsible for the continuous development of the catering service through menu innovation, staff motivation and training as well as being actively involved in the food preparation.

What we offer

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Staff may join a group personal pension scheme
• Diverse training and professional development programme
• Employee Assistance Programme – offering free and confidential advice
• Free use of the Sports Centre facilities including a fitness suite, ergo suite and group cycle studio
• Free school lunch, plus refreshments available in the staff room during the day and after school
• On-site parking
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free eye tests and annual flu vaccination
• Access to well-stocked school library
• Access to wide range of school events

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7QU