Executive Chef Manager - Education Catering

COREcruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time contract

40 weeks per year

40-hour week

Work-life balance

Training and development

Progression opportunities

Job summary

COREcruitment Ltd is recruiting an Executive Chef Manager for a busy secondary school catering operation in South-East London. You will lead a team of 13, own the food offer, service and day-to-day operation, and ensure fresh food, high standards and consistent delivery across meals.

Role requires hands-on leadership, strong fresh-food and organisational skills, cost awareness, and the ability to drive menus, budgets and food safety.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a sizeable catering kitchen team.
• Strong fresh-food and organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to drive are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full kitchen and catering operation.
• Manage, train and develop the team.
• Drive food quality and presentation.
• Deliver engaging, modern menus.
• Manage budgets, GP and food costs.
• Oversee ordering, stock and waste.
• Maintain food safety and compliance.
• Support nearby school sites when required.

Skills

Team leadership

Hands-on

Cost control

Food quality

Operationally strong

Job description

Salary: Up to £37,000
Location: South-East London
Hours: 40 hours per week | 40 weeks per year

Want to run your own kitchen, lead a great team and actually have the school holidays to enjoy?

I'm recruiting an Executive Chef Manager for a busy secondary school catering operation in South-East London.

You'll take ownership of the food, team and day-to-day operation, leading a team of 13 and making sure fresh food, service and standards are consistently delivered.

Salary & Benefits

• Up to £37,000 salary
• Term-time contract - 40 weeks per year
• 40-hour working week
• Excellent work-life balance
• Training and professional development
• Opportunity to progress within a growing education caterer

The Operation

• Busy secondary school environment
• Team of 13
• Breakfast and main food service
• Fresh, quality-led food
• High-volume daily catering
• Opportunity to support other local sites

The Role

• Lead the full kitchen and catering operation
• Manage, train and develop the team
• Drive food quality and presentation
• Deliver engaging, modern menus
• Manage budgets, GP and food costs
• Oversee ordering, stock and waste
• Maintain food safety and compliance
• Support nearby school sites when required

About You

• Chef Manager, Executive Chef Manager or strong Head Chef
• Hands-on and operationally very strong
• Confident managing and developing a sizeable team
• Strong fresh-food and organisational skills
• Commercially aware with good cost control
• Education or contract catering experience beneficial
• Full UK driving licence and ability to drive is essential

This needs someone who enjoys being visible, hands-on and involved in the operation, while also having the leadership skills to develop the team and continuously improve the food offer.

For a chef looking for up to £37,000, a 40-hour week and only 40 working weeks per year, it's a fantastic opportunity to combine career progression with genuine work-life balance.

The interview process will start with an initial interview, followed by a practical trade test for successful candidates.

An enhanced DBS and relevant safeguarding checks will be required.