Head Chef

Chartwells Independent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned food service company in Coventry seeks a skilled Head Chef to lead a dedicated kitchen team. The successful candidate will manage daily kitchen operations, deliver high-quality meals, and ensure safety standards are met. They will develop their team while handling stock control and delivering excellence in service. Competitive salary of £15.61 per hour with benefits including a contributory pension and discounts on travel and shopping is offered, making this a fantastic opportunity for a culinary leader.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Access to Digital GP

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on major supermarkets

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Free wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Head Chef or similar role essential.
• Confidence in managing a large, diverse team.
• Passion for delivering high-quality, seasonal food.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a kitchen team to deliver excellent food and service.
• Manage ordering, stock control, and food waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Team management

Culinary creativity

Education

Relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds)

Job description

Head Chef

Salary: £15.61 per hour

Hours: 40 Hours per week - Predominately Monday to Friday with occasional weekends

Shift pattern: Early shift 7am to 2.30pm and late shift 10am to 8.30pm

As a Head Chef with Compass Group, you’ll lead a talented kitchen team delivering fresh, high-quality meals to military personnel and staff. You’ll oversee all aspects of kitchen operations — from daily service to event catering — ensuring every plate meets our high standards.

You’ll manage a team of 7, and play a key role in creating a positive, professional kitchen environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of 7 to deliver excellent food and service
• Plan, prepare, and present fresh, nutritious meals for daily and special events
• Manage ordering, stock control, and food waste reduction
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health, and safety standards
• Support smooth day‑to‑day operations and effective scheduling
• Inspire a culture of teamwork, pride, and culinary creativity

About You

You’re an experienced, hands‑on Head Chef who thrives under pressure and leads by example.

You will:

• Have previous experience in a Head Chef or similar role (essential)
• Hold relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds – desirable)
• Be confident managing a large, diverse team in a fast‑paced environment
• Show strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills
• Be passionate about delivering high-quality, seasonal food
• Be flexible to work a mixture of early and late shifts, including weekends

Benefits

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1112/42857001/52780724/SU #Energy

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!