Executive Head Chef

Sodexo; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality services provider is seeking an Executive Head Chef to oversee culinary operations at The City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest FC. This role demands strong leadership in a fast-paced environment, shaping food experiences for matchdays and events. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in high-volume catering and a strong educational background in culinary arts. The position offers a salary between £45,000 and £50,000 and includes excellent benefits.

Benefits

Mental health support platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing app

Discounts Scheme

Retirement Plan

Volunteering Opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in multi-outlet, high-volume catering leadership.
• Expertise in P&L and cost control.
• Strong organizational and team leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead food production across hospitality and concessions.
• Design seasonal menus based on food trends.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations.
• Control food and labor costs while maximizing profitability.

Skills

Senior chef leadership experience

Track record in high-quality food environments

Trend-aware food philosophy

Commercial and cost control success

Hands-on leadership style

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Culinary Arts

Level 4 Food Safety & Hygiene

Job description

Executive Head Chef

• Nottingham Forest Football Club, The City Ground, Pavilion Rd, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ
• £45,000pa - £50,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits package
• 40hrs pw 5/7

Job Introduction

Are you ready to take centre stage in one of the UK's most exciting hospitality and live event environments?

Sodexo Live! is seeking a visionary Executive Head Chef to lead all culinary operations at The City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest FC. From premium hospitality and VIP suites to high-energy fan concessions and large-scale non-matchday events, you will shape and deliver food experiences that match the passion, pace, and prestige of top-flight football.

This is more than a kitchen leadership role; it's a high-impact culinary leadership position where innovation, commercial performance, and world-class delivery meet.

As Executive Head Chef, you will be the creative and operational driving force behind all food delivery across the stadium. You'll lead, inspire, and develop a diverse culinary brigade while driving menu innovation, operational excellence, and financial performance across matchday and event operations.

You’ll bring food trends to life, elevate standards, and ensure every plate served reflects quality, consistency, and excitement.

Typical volumes include:

• Approx. 20 men's first team match days per year
• Approx. 10 women's first team match days per year
• Approx. 1,500 covers per match day (hospitality & premium areas)
• Additional non-matchday conferences, banquets, and events

What You'll Do:

• Lead all food production across hospitality, retail, concessions, and event catering, setting the overall culinary vision and standards
• Design and deliver trend‑led, seasonal, and commercially successful menus, translating food trends into stadium‑ready concepts
• Deliver premium tastings and support event planning to create standout guest and client dining experiences
• Drive operational excellence with consistent quality, presentation, and service standards across all outlets
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen, and health & safety requirements, championing a Zero Harm culture
• Control food and labour costs, manage rotas, and use strong P&L insight to achieve budget and cost‑of‑sale targets
• Maximise profitability through efficient sourcing, waste control, and smart operational planning
• Lead, mentor, and inspire the culinary team while building strong cross‑functional and client relationships to support continuous improvement

For a full list of responsibilities please read the attached job description.

What You Bring:

You’re a confident, resilient culinary leader who thrives in fast‑paced, high‑volume environments. You combine creativity with commercial discipline and lead from the front with energy and credibility.

You bring both flair and control, equally comfortable designing premium menus and executing large‑scale service with precision.

Key skills and attributes:

• Proven senior chef leadership experience in stadia, large venues, hotels, or multi‑outlet operations
• A strong track record in high‑quality, high‑volume food environments
• A trend‑aware, guest‑first food philosophy
• Demonstrable commercial and cost control success
• Hands‑on leadership style and operational presence
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• NVQ Level 3 in Culinary Arts (or equivalent)
• Level 4 Food Safety & Hygiene (preferred)
• Multi‑outlet, high‑volume catering leadership experience
• P&L and cost control responsibility
• Strong organisational and team leadership capability
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and memorable food experiences

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 will act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you will 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.

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.

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