Head Chef

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

Job summary

A leading catering services provider in the UK seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead operations in Cambridge. The role involves overseeing meal production, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills, a passion for food service, and relevant culinary qualifications. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of £38,000 per annum and a robust employee benefits package, including professional development opportunities and wellness support.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Pension Plan membership

Bike to Work Scheme

24hr virtual GP Service

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing a kitchen team.
• Strong understanding of catering industry trends and innovations.
• Solid financial acumen and experience managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production and service of meals to meet standards.
• Manage financial documentation, reporting, and stock control.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Catering industry knowledge

Financial management

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

Culinary qualifications

Health & Safety qualifications

Job description

Head Chef – Catering Operations (Cambridge)

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.
• Customer-focused approach with a passion for food and service.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Relevant culinary and health & safety qualifications.

Benefits and Working Hours

• Full time
• Monday to Friday – occasional weekends may be required
• £38,000 per annum
• Opportunities for professional development
• Plus our Sodexo employee benefits package, 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