Executive Head Chef

Sodexo; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in culinary services is seeking an Executive Head Chef for Ewood Park, Lancashire. In this role, you will design innovative menus, lead a passionate team, and ensure culinary excellence across various events. You'll thrive in high-energy environments, manage budgets, and maintain food safety standards. Join us to shape the culinary identity at this iconic venue and enjoy great benefits, including personal development opportunities and a vibrant team culture.

Benefits

Online mental health support

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing app

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Financial benefits via Salary Finance

Retirement Plan membership

Death-in-Service benefit

Learning and development opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-volume, multi-outlet environments.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to inspire a team.
• Creative approach to menu innovation and food presentation.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of culinary operations for Ewood Park.
• Design and implement innovative menus for diverse clientele.
• Manage food costs and ensure financial profitability.
• Lead and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Uphold safety standards and compliance across all operations.

Skills

Culinary excellence

Menu design

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Food safety compliance

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Level 3 food hygiene

Job description

Executive head chef

Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park, Nuttall Street BB24JF

£45,000pa + excellent benefits

40hrs pw 5/7

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, level 3 food hygiene essential

Job Introduction

At Sodexo Live!, we create the experiences that bring stadiums to life, and now we're looking for a culinary leader who can help us shape the next chapter at the iconic Ewood Park.

As our Executive Head Chef, you won't just run a kitchen.

You’ll set the standard for culinary excellence across VIP hospitality, buzzing fan concourses, private events, and every matchday moment in between. This is your opportunity to design menus that excite, lead a passionate team, and deliver unforgettable food that amplifies the roar of the crowd.

If you're driven by creativity, thrive in high-energy environments, and love the challenge of delivering brilliance at scale, this is the role for you.

This will suit an experienced Chef who can deliver exceptional culinary experiences across match days and events, driving revenue and profitability through smart planning and strong cost control. You’ll lead a motivated, high-performing team with passion and purpose, while upholding outstanding standards in quality, safety, and operational excellence.

You’ll enjoy the freedom to unleash your creativity with exciting menu innovation, all while experiencing the electric atmosphere of 20 thrilling match days each year. With access to incredible career opportunities across Sodexo Live!'s world-class venues, you’ll be supported by a vibrant, collaborative team and have the unique chance to shape the culinary identity of Ewood Park.

What You’ll Do

• Take full ownership of culinary operations across multiple outlets, from fine dining hospitality and lounges to fast-paced concessions and non-matchday events.
• Design innovative, on-trend, seasonal menus that showcase your culinary identity while speaking to the diverse needs of fans, guests, and clients.
• Coach, mentor, and grow a high-performing brigade, building a culture of passion, precision, and pride.
• Deliver excellence every time, with uncompromising standards on flavour, quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Drive commercial success, managing food costs, labour, supplier relationships, and P&L performance.
• Lead tastings and collaborate with clients, helping shape matchday and event experiences.
• Champion safety and compliance, setting the bar for Zero Harm, allergen management, and operational best practice.
• Oversee kitchen rotas, staffing and logistics, keeping a busy stadium site efficient, energised, and ready for anything.

What You Bring

• Brings ambition, confidence, and resilience to every service.
• Has a track record of excellence in high-volume, multi-outlet or premium environments (stadia, hotels, resorts, large venues).
• Thrives on creativity and constant innovation, keeping pace with food trends and translating them into crowd-pleasing dishes.
• Displays strong commercial acumen, understanding how to balance flair with financial responsibility.
• Takes a hands‑on leadership approach, inspiring those around you and leading by example.
• Adapts effortlessly between premium hospitality and fast‑paced matchday catering.
• Always puts the guest experience first, no matter the occasion.

What we offer

Working with Sodexo Live! 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.

In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
• A Death-in‑Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

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 every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On‑Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We're a Disability Confident Leader employer. We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture. The rewards and Benfits guide is attached.

Keywords:

• Sodexo, Sodexo Jobs, Sodexo Jobs near me, disability confident, family friendly, inclusive, forces friendly, Culinary Leadership, Menu Innovation, Stadium Catering, High-Volume Operations, Team Development, Food Quality & Safety, Hospitality Excellence, Cost Control, Event Catering, Creative Cuisine