Head Chef

Sodexo; Ewell; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing platform access

Employee Assistance Programme

24hr virtual GP Service

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Pension Plan

Learning & development tools

Bike to Work Scheme

Enhanced benefits & leave policies

Job summary

At Sodexo, a premium corporate hospitality provider, we are seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead day-to-day kitchen operations across restaurant, café, conference and events. This hands-on leadership role focuses on menu development, food quality, cost control and team development to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

You will work closely with Front of House to ensure seamless service, drive innovation, uphold HACCP and food safety standards, and build a positive, high-performing

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong menu development and food innovation.
• Commercial awareness including food costs, labour and budgets.
• Experience in corporate, hospitality, contract catering or premium environments.
• Knowledge of UK Food Safety legislation, HACCP and allergen management.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional chef qualification or equivalent culinary training; Level 3 Food Safety.
• Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH and Health & Safety.
• Knowledge of allergens, sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and food operation, ensuring high standards of quality and service.
• Create innovative, seasonal menus reflecting customer preferences and trends.
• Oversee food preparation, production, service, stock control and purchasing.
• Manage food and labour costs, budgets, wastage and overall kitchen finance.
• Partner with approved suppliers for quality, value and responsible sourcing.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, HACCP, allergen management and Health & Safety.
• Lead food safety audits and ensure compliance.
• Recruit, train, coach and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Manage staffing levels, rotas and resource planning for efficient service.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and new concepts.
• Collaborate with Front of House for seamless guest experiences.
• Support conferences, events, tastings and client presentations.
• Build relationships with clients and stakeholders; respond to feedback.
• Lead by example to foster an inclusive, high-performing kitchen culture.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Team management

Menu development

Food costs & budgeting

Corporate hospitality experience

Food safety & allergen management

Leadership & communication

Calm under pressure

Professional chef qualification

Level 3 Food Safety

HACCP & Health & Safety

Sustainability & sourcing knowledge

Education

Professional Chef qualification or equivalent

Level 3 Food Safety

Job description

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 passionate Head Chef to lead a premium food operation within a corporate hospitality environment. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the day-to-day kitchen operation, menu development, food quality, financial performance, food safety and team development. You will create exceptional food experiences across restaurant, café, hospitality, conference and event services, working closely with the Front of House team to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and food operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Create innovative, seasonal and commercially focused menus that reflect customer preferences and current food trends.
• Oversee food preparation, production, service, stock control and purchasing.
• Manage food costs, labour costs, budgets, wastage and overall kitchen financial performance.
• Work with approved suppliers to ensure quality, value and responsible sourcing.
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, HACCP, allergen management and Health & Safety.
• Lead food safety audits and ensure all compliance requirements are met.
• Recruit, train, coach and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Manage staffing levels, rotas and resource planning to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and new food concepts.
• Work closely with Front of House teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Support conferences, hospitality services, events, tastings and client presentations.
• Build positive relationships with clients, customers and key stakeholders.
• Respond to customer feedback and use it to continually improve the food offer.
• Lead by example, creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing kitchen culture.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager or similar senior culinary role.
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong menu development and food innovation experience.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing food costs, labour and budgets.
• Experience working within a corporate, hospitality, contract catering or premium food environment.
• A passion for food, hospitality and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Strong knowledge of UK Food Safety legislation, HACCP and allergen management.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced environment.
• A creative and commercially minded approach to food development., Professional Chef qualification or equivalent culinary training.
• Level 3 Food Safety or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, COSHH and Health & Safety.
• Knowledge of allergens, sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Why Sodexo?

• 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 Irelands 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 100million 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 forces 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.

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.