Executive Chef Manager

Thomas Franks Ltd; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Ipswich seeks a Catering Manager to oversee day-to-day operations and ensure high-quality service and food standards. Responsibilities include leading the catering team, managing budgets, and delivering exceptional dining experiences for staff and clients. Candidates should have a proven track record in catering management, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications. The position offers opportunities for career progression and includes benefits such as training and employee assistance programs.

Benefits

Wider wallet scheme

Free meals on duty

Volunteer leave

Cycle to work scheme

Team social events

Workplace pension

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering excellent food standards.
• Hands-on catering manager leading the team in production and service.
• Proven ability to communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the catering team for daily production and services.
• Manage and deliver the client-agreed and company budgets.
• Ensure high quality of food and customer service.

Skills

Excellent food standards

Team management

Customer service skills

Analytical/critical thinking

Flexibility

Education

City & Guild 706/1 & 2 or equivalent

Level 3 food hygiene qualification

Job description

A day and boarding co‑educational school for pupils from nursery to Sixth form in Ipswich, Suffolk. Catering for 500 students and teachers daily, we offer a core feeding of breakfast, lunch, supper, internal and external hospitality. This 52‑week year operation runs 7 days a week, so working patterns are 5 out of 7 days. Additional benefit: free parking on site. This role works closely with the catering team and the operations manager to ensure high‑standard day‑to‑day catering and hospitality. You will be experienced in a similar role and manage the financial budget for the location.

Responsibilities

• Lead the catering team with day‑to‑day production and service of member and staff dining facilities across the site, and liaise with the centre in delivering internal or external hospitality events.
• Deliver both the client‑agreed budget and the company annual budget.
• Develop and implement the members and staff dining and hospitality facilities across the site, ensuring the quality of food and level of customer service, presentation of the dining and service areas, etc., are maintained to the agreed standards.
• Prepare, comment and report upon the monthly and annual P&L operating statements for Thomas Franks.
• Develop each area of the catering offer in line with client expectations, budgetary constraints and agreed offer development plans.
• Be responsible for the day‑to‑day operations of all catering facilities throughout the year, working in line with the requirements of the business.
• Assist in the process of change in the departments through setting standards and motivating staff to deliver them.
• Liaise with members and client via customer interaction and relevant member forums to ensure requirements are met at all times.
• Deliver food services operations as directed by the operations manager, including members/staff dining and any internal and external hospitality.
• Create and nurture an environment that emphasises motivation, empowerment, teamwork and a passion for service.
• Provide excellent food and customer service, responding quickly and proactively to customers’ needs.
• Develop the food offer in line with current market trends and the standards outlined in Thomas Franks company values.
• Ensure age‑appropriate food is available in all locations throughout the dining period, ensuring all special dietary requirements of members are adhered to at all times.
• Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships with all departments and ensure all team members do the same.
• Ensure compliance with all Thomas Franks food & beverage policies, standards and procedures by training, supervising, follow‑up and hands‑on management.
• Maintain and develop service standards in all dining areas, including cleanliness and presentation of the room.
• Have full knowledge of the clients safeguarding, health & safety, fire and accident reporting procedures.
• Carry out effective induction, review and development plans for staff within the areas managed and maintain appropriate records.
• Support any rehabilitation activity as required by the centre in support of open days and centre delivery requirements.
• Undertake any reasonable duties that may be required relating to the effective operation and development of commercial areas as directed by the operations manager.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of delivering excellent food standards.
• Hands‑on catering manager leading the team in food production and service.
• Proven ability to communicate with clients and deliver agreed objectives and goals.
• Competent computer skills, knowledge of computer software, internet browsers, etc.
• High level of communication – reading, writing, oral and listening.
• Customer and personal service skills, proven track record of customer service achievements.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Analytical/critical thinking, ability to gather and organise information using logical and systematic processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage a team and achieve high performance through motivation.
• Strong customer service ethos.
• Must have the flexibility to work to the needs of the business.

Knowledge and Competencies

• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding and use of verbal English.
• Ability to demonstrate a good standard of written English and reading skills.
• Similar experience of customer and / or food preparation environment is essential.
• Hold a recognised cooking qualification such as City & Guild 706/1 & 2 or equivalent.
• Hold a level 3 food hygiene qualification.

Thomas Franks is a founder‑led, fresh‑food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer: All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. Enhanced DBS, identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind‑over must be declared. Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks: we actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under‑represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty.
• Volunteer leave – up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well‑established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.