Executive Chef

Sodexo; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A catering and facilities management company is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at Millwall Football Club. The role involves overseeing food operations, developing innovative menus, and leading a team in a high-pressure environment. Candidates should have strong leadership experience and culinary qualifications, with a passion for delivering exceptional food experiences.

Benefits

Flexible benefits fund of £1,300

Health and wellbeing support

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leader with experience in high-volume, multi-outlet environments.
• Hands-on, resilient, and passionate about leading high-performing teams under pressure.
• Confident in developing menus that balance flair, flavour, and commercial value.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary operations across fine dining suites and events.
• Develop seasonal menus that excite fans and impress VIPs.
• Lead, train, and inspire a brigade of chefs.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and quality.
• Manage food costs and budgets to maximize revenue.
• Host tasting sessions and contribute to event planning.

Skills

Leadership experience in high-volume environments

Financial acumen

Creativity in menu development

Strong communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Culinary Arts

Level 4 Food Safety (desirable)

Job description

Overview

Executive Chef Milwall Football Club, London SE16 3LN. Salary £55,000pa - £60,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits. 40hrs pw, 5/7. Flexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefits. This role is with Sodexo Live! and involves leading culinary operations at Millwall Football Club.

At Sodexo Live!, we create unforgettable experiences at iconic venues across the UK. We are looking for a passionate, innovative, and commercially astute Executive Head Chef to lead the culinary vision at Millwall Football Club. This is a career-defining opportunity to showcase your creativity, lead a dynamic team, and elevate the food experience for fans, VIPs, and corporate guests. This is your chance to lead culinary operations at one of London’s most recognisable football clubs, with opportunities to innovate across matchdays and large-scale events. Bring your passion, creativity, and leadership to Millwall Football Club and help shape the future of food with Sodexo Live!

Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary operations across fine dining suites, lounges, concessions, and non-matchday events.
• Develop seasonal, trend-led menus that excite fans, impress VIPs, and deliver commercially strong results.
• Lead, train, and inspire a brigade of chefs and matchday casuals, fostering a culture of excellence and passion.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, quality, presentation, and consistency across all outlets.
• Manage food costs, labour, and budgets to maximise revenue and profitability.
• Host tasting sessions, contribute to event planning, and bring culinary creativity to the forefront of Sodexo Live!’s offering.

What You Bring

• A proven leader with experience in high-volume, multi-outlet environments (stadia, hotels, arenas, or large venues).
• Qualified to NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Culinary Arts; Level 4 Food Safety is desirable.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, budgets, and cost controls.
• Creative, guest-focused, and confident in developing menus that balance flair, flavour, and commercial value.
• Hands-on, resilient, and passionate about leading high-performing teams under pressure.
• A natural communicator who can build strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and suppliers.

What We Offer

• Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.
• You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.
• Range of resources, rewards and benefits: Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support; Employee Assistance Programme; health and wellbeing app with 24hr virtual GP; Sodexo Discounts Scheme; prepayment cashback card; Money Insights and Salary Finance benefits; Sodexo Retirement Plan; Death-in-Service benefit; opportunities for learning and development; Cycle to Work Scheme; Volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment.
• Note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and to build a better life for all. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and a Disability Confident Leader. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are a forces friendly employer and support Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.