Head Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider is seeking a Head Chef for Nuffield Health Hospital in Haywards Heath. This role offers you a supportive team environment, excellent work-life balance with minimal weekend shifts, and numerous benefits including discounted gym membership and opportunities for professional development. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a passion for quality food, and relevant culinary qualifications.

Benefits

Discounted gym membership

Work-life balance with minimal weekend shifts

Cycle to Work scheme

Free health and wellbeing app

Opportunities for further qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience as a chef, ideally in healthcare.
• Passion for fresh, quality food.
• Computer literacy required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team to deliver high-quality meals.
• Ensure hygiene and food safety standards.
• Manage kitchen operations and stock control.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Craft skills

Presentation skills

Financial awareness

Team-oriented attitude

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or equivalent

Level 3 Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Job Description

Position: Head Chef
Location: Nuffield Health Haywards Heath Hospital

Team: 3 Chefs + 1 General Assistant
Reports to: Business Manager

Job Introduction

Looking for a chef role that offers real work-life balance, professional growth, and a supportive team?
This is a phenomenal opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their culinary career—or for a passionate chef who loves to cook but wants a lifestyle not often available in the industry.

At Nuffield Health: Haywards Heath Hospital, you’ll join a small, friendly team where your skills are valued and your wellbeing matters. With only 1.5 weekend shifts every 3 weeks, discounted gym membership, and whites supplied and laundered, this role is designed to support both your career and your life outside of work.

What You’ll Do

• Lead a small, close-knit team to deliver breakfast, lunch, and dinner for around 15 in-patients daily, plus staff meals and cold sandwich provisions for day patients—all to the highest standards.
• Liaise directly with the ward supervisor to ensure seamless service and patient satisfaction.
• Maintain top hygiene and food safety standards (aiming for 5-star EHO and Safeguard Green audits).
• Manage kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, compliance, and staff rotas.
• Prepare fresh, scratch-cooked meals using central menus.
• Support and develop your team, identifying training needs and helping others grow.
• Deputise for the Client Services Manager as needed.

What You Bring

• Previous experience as a chef, ideally in healthcare or a similar environment.
• Excellent craft and presentation skills, with a passion for fresh, quality food.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or equivalent, plus Level 3 Hygiene Certificate.
• Computer literacy and good financial awareness.
• A positive, team-focused attitude and a desire to deliver outstanding service.

Amazing Perks

• Location: Just a 2-minute walk from the train station, free parking available and a company Cycle to Work scheme.
• Uniform: Whites supplied and laundered for you.
• Work-Life Balance: Only 1.5 weekend shifts every 3 weeks—unbeatable for chefs!, Employee Assistance Programme (including financial/legal advice and personal support) and Discounts on high street brands for you and your family
• Wellbeing: Discounted membership at Nuffield Crawley gym, Free health and wellbeing app with 24/7 virtual GP access and Entitlement to mental health and wellbeing resources
• Development: Opportunities to undertake further qualifications and training.
• Team: Work with a small, friendly, and supportive team where your contribution is truly valued.

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 Onsite Food and FM Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and 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 and Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, 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.

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

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.