Head Chef

Sodexo

Colchester

On-site

GBP 28,000 - 34,000

Full time

12 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Mental health & wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards

Discounts for you & family

Financial tools & retirement plan

Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Job summary

Sodexo at Merville Barracks, Colchester, is hiring a Head Chef to lead the busy catering operation within a military environment. You will oversee day-to-day kitchen activities, drive food quality, manage a team of Chefs and Kitchen Porters, and ensure safe, compliant service.

You will bring leadership, a passion for great food and the ability to balance operational and people management in a demanding setting. The role is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a salary of £30,600 per annum.

Qualifications

Previous experience leading a kitchen team in a busy catering environment.
Catering qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 2, NVQ Level 2 and 3, HND, BSc Catering or equivalent.
Intermediate level Food Safety qualification.
Good knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, engage and develop a team.
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
Confident verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work on your own initiative while contributing effectively as part of the wider team.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day catering operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating an engaged, high-performing working environment.
Manage and support Chefs, military Chefs and Kitchen Porters, providing clear direction, coaching and training.
Plan and manage team rotas, leave and staffing requirements to ensure the kitchen is effectively resourced.
Take ownership of menu delivery, ensuring recipes, specifications and portion controls are consistently followed.
Oversee food preparation, cooking and presentation, ensuring excellent standards are maintained throughout service.
Maintain full compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, allergen legislation and Sodexo procedures.
Ensure all kitchen due diligence, temperature monitoring, food storage and safety documentation is accurately completed.
Drive successful internal and external audit performance and ensure any required actions are addressed.
Manage stock ordering, stocktaking and kitchen supplies, maintaining effective controls and reducing unnecessary waste.
Monitor food consumption and waste against agreed targets, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs.
Contribute to the financial performance of the catering operation, including payroll, stock, waste and P&L management.
Build and maintain strong relationships with the client and customers, responding professionally to feedback and resolving concerns.
Ensure contractual service standards, KPIs and operational requirements are consistently achieved.
Lead pre-service briefings, team huddles and toolbox talks to maintain strong communication across the kitchen.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve service, efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall kitchen performance.
Work closely with the Centre Manager and Food Services Manager to support the wider catering operation.
Be a visible, hands‑on leader who sets the standard for food quality, safety, customer service and team performance

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team development

Catering operations

Food safety

Planning & scheduling

Communication

Education

Catering qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

40 hours per week
Monday to Friday - 08.00 - 17.00
£30,600 per annum
Sodexo rewards and benefits

Job Introduction

As Head Chef with Sodexo at Merville Barracks, Colchester, CO2 7UT, you'll take the lead in delivering a high-quality catering service within a busy military environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading and developing your team while maintaining excellent standards of food quality, presentation, safety and service.

You'll bring strong kitchen leadership experience, a passion for great food and the confidence to manage both the operational and people aspects of a busy catering environment.

What you’ll do:

Lead the day-to-day catering operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service
Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating an engaged, high-performing working environment
Manage and support Chefs, military Chefs and Kitchen Porters, providing clear direction, coaching and training
Plan and manage team rotas, leave and staffing requirements to ensure the kitchen is effectively resourced
Take ownership of menu delivery, ensuring recipes, specifications and portion controls are consistently followed
Oversee food preparation, cooking and presentation, ensuring excellent standards are maintained throughout service
Maintain full compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, allergen legislation and Sodexo procedures
Ensure all kitchen due diligence, temperature monitoring, food storage and safety documentation is accurately completed
Drive successful internal and external audit performance and ensure any required actions are addressed
Manage stock ordering, stocktaking and kitchen supplies, maintaining effective controls and reducing unnecessary waste
Monitor food consumption and waste against agreed targets, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs
Contribute to the financial performance of the catering operation, including payroll, stock, waste and P&L management
Build and maintain strong relationships with the client and customers, responding professionally to feedback and resolving concerns
Ensure contractual service standards, KPIs and operational requirements are consistently achieved
Lead pre-service briefings, team huddles and toolbox talks to maintain strong communication across the kitchen
Identify and implement opportunities to improve service, efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall kitchen performance
Work closely with the Centre Manager and Food Services Manager to support the wider catering operation
Be a visible, hands‑on leader who sets the standard for food quality, safety, customer service and team performance

What you bring:

Previous experience leading a kitchen team in a busy catering environment
A recognised catering qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 2, NVQ Level 2 and 3, HND, BSc Catering or equivalent
Intermediate level Food Safety qualification
Good knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, engage and develop a team
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Confident verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work on your own initiative while contributing effectively as part of the wider team
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
A flexible approach to meet the requirements of a busy operational environment

Desirable:

Previous experience working within a military or Defence environment
CIEH Level 3 or equivalent
IOSH qualification or equivalent

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo 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 offer: