Executive Head Chef: High-Volume School Dining Lead

Wellington College; Buckler's Park; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on duty

Free onsite parking

Mercer Aspire Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

We are seeking a confident, resilient Head Chef to lead Sodexo’s flagship core feeding operation at Wellington College, the UK’s prestigious independent school. You will drive culinary excellence, scale, and a high-performance culture, delivering exceptional dining for students, staff and visitors.

You will manage a large kitchen brigade, partner with stakeholders, and lead innovation in menu development, sustainability, and service standards, in a dynamic education setting.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a large-scale catering environment.
• Strong fine dining or premium hospitality background.
• Proven leadership with ability to challenge and inspire teams.
• Creative, innovative approach to food, presentation and service.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing, and inspiring a high-performing kitchen brigade.
• Driving operational excellence across all meal services.
• Delegating responsibilities across Shift Leaders and the wider team.
• Workforce planning, rosta creation, and daily coordination.
• Managing ordering, stock control, supplier management and costs.
• Maintaining budgetary performance while delivering quality at scale.
• Ensuring maintenance and equipment readiness.
• Leading recruitment, training and performance management.
• Upholding food safety, health & safety, and compliance standards.

Skills

Head Chef experience

High-volume catering

Leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Food presentation

IT literacy & numeracy

Recruitment & training

Education

NVQ/City & Guilds Professional Cookery Level 2 or 3

Level 3 Food Safety Certificate

Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate

Intermediate Managing Safely

Job description

We are seeking a confident, resilient Head Chef to lead Sodexo’s flagship core feeding operation at Wellington College, the UK’s prestigious independent school. You will drive culinary excellence, scale, and a high-performance culture, delivering exceptional dining for students, staff and visitors.

You will manage a large kitchen brigade, partner with stakeholders, and lead innovation in menu development, sustainability, and service standards, in a dynamic education setting.