Head Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A global services company in Cambridge is looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead catering operations. Responsible for food service quality and team management, the ideal candidate possesses solid culinary and health & safety qualifications, along with a customer-focused mindset. The role offers professionalism and development opportunities in a supportive work environment. Join us to be part of a greater purpose while delivering exceptional service.

Benefits

Unlimited access to wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

24hr virtual GP Service

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Pension Plan membership

Learning and development tools

Bike to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing a kitchen team.
• Strong understanding of catering industry trends and innovations.
• Solid financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Experience working within a standards-driven, compliance-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production and service of all meals to agreed standards.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and health standards.
• Recruit, train, and manage kitchen staff effectively.
• Ensure all catering services are correctly costed and charged per contract requirements.

Skills

Proven experience leading and managing a kitchen team

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Customer-focused approach with a passion for food and service

Education

Relevant culinary and health & safety qualifications

Job description

• Full time
• Monday to Friday - occasional weekends may be required
• £38000 per annum
• Opportunities for professional development
• Plus our Sodexo employee benefits package

Head Chef

Cambridge, CB2 0BA – Full time

At Sodexo, we’re passionate about our people. We know that our teams are the key to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, customers, and employees.

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Head Chef to lead our catering operations in Cambridge. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality catering services in line with Modern Recipe standards, ensuring excellent service, strong financial performance, and full compliance with health, safety, and quality requirements.

As a Head Chef you'll:

• Lead the production and service of all meals to agreed standards, KPIs, and specifications.
• Act as the visible lead for both front-of-house and back-of-house food service.
• Maintain accurate financial documentation, reporting, and stock control within budget.
• Manage labour, purchasing, and operational costs in line with agreed targets.
• Ensure all catering services are correctly costed and charged as per contract requirements.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, statutory regulations, and health and safety standards.
• Ensure all equipment is safe, well-maintained, and compliant.
• Deliver a high standard of service aligned with Service Level Agreements and KPIs.
• Attend internal and client meetings as required.
• Recruit, induct, train, motivate, and appraise staff, maintaining accurate training records.
• Promote a positive, professional, and customer-focused environment.
• Conduct regular briefings and team meetings.
• Manage holidays and staffing levels effectively to ensure business continuity.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience leading and managing a kitchen team.
• Strong understanding of catering industry trends and innovations.
• Solid financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Experience working within a standards-driven, compliance-focused environment.
• Customer-focused approach with a passion for food and service.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Relevant culinary and health & safety qualifications.

Why Sodexo?

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.

Belong in a company and team that values you for you.

Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions.

Thrive in your own way.

We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
• Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
• Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
• Sodexo UK and Ireland’s enhanced benefits and leave policies

A little more 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 force‑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, SoTogether, 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. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Ready to be part of something greater?

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.