Executive Head Chef

ISS; Sworton Heath; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facility management company in the UK is seeking a Food Experience Lead to oversee a craft team, ensuring exceptional food quality and safety. This role involves inspiring the team to deliver innovative dining experiences and maintaining operational excellence. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills, a relevant cookery qualification, and a background in large-scale catering. This position offers an opportunity to impact high-profile campus events significantly.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract catering preferred; strong chefs with administrative skills considered.
• Proven leadership skills in kitchen operations and service excellence.
• Innovative with a proactive approach to team dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality food and drink experiences.
• Maintain a safe and compliant kitchen environment.
• Lead and inspire a motivated team through training and communication.
• Control costs by managing schedules and adhering to recipes.
• Collaborate to design innovative campus events.

Skills

Leadership

Food quality and safety standards

Team motivation

Problem-solving

IT literacy

Education

SCQF Level 8 cookery qualification

Job description

Reporting to the Food Experience Lead, you'll oversee the craft team day-to-day, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation.

With a hands-on approach and a creative mindset, you'll inspire your team to deliver excellence, shape trend-setting food moments, and play a key role in high-profile events.

You'll also support the delivery of the Campus food strategy, champion a 'One Team' culture, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and financial standards.

Passionate about food and innovation, you'll bring energy, leadership, and vision to create memorable experiences that go beyond expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Deliver consistently high-quality food and drink experiences that align with brand standards and create a lasting positive impression.
2. Maintain a safe, compliant kitchen environment by upholding health, safety, and food standards, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
3. Lead and inspire a motivated team through effective training, recognition, and clear communication to drive service excellence and wellbeing.
4. Control labour, stock, and production costs by managing schedules, adhering to recipes, and applying financial procedures to meet business targets.
5. Collaborate with internal teams to design and deliver innovative, trend-focused campus events and experiences that exceed customer expectations.

Qualifications & Experience:

1. Experience in contract catering preferred, though strong chefs with solid administrative skills will be considered.
2. Minimum SCQF Level 8 (or equivalent) cookery qualification.
3. Proven leadership skills with strengths in kitchen operations, service excellence, delivering vision, and engaging teams.
4. Experience in a similar role within large-scale, high-end catering and/or fast casual food service outlets.
5. IT literate with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Innovative, proactive, and confident in taking a lead role within a dynamic team.
7. Strong problem-solving ability with a track record of resolving challenges and exceeding client expectations.

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company committed to diversity and inclusion. We support and promote inclusive hiring practices and are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.