Head Chef

Manchester Arndale; Hazel Grove; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Head Chef for its contract catering operations. You will lead kitchen staff, oversee menu development, and ensure high culinary standards while managing food costs and compliance.

You should have proven leadership skills, a Level 3 in Catering and Hospitality, and strong client relationships. Excellent communication and organisational abilities are essential for this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and team management experience in contract catering.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to handle varied client needs.
• Experience in budgeting, cost control and financial awareness in a catering environment.
• Excellent communication, time-management and organisational abilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Creating and updating menus in accordance with seasonal and local ingredients, as well as being in line with clients’ requirements.
• Be responsible to oversee the kitchen staff, providing guidance, comprehensive training, and resolving any interpersonal conflicts that might arise.
• You will be required to manage the inventory by ensuring that the kitchen remains adequately stocked with fresh ingredients and culinary necessities. You must also change dishes should certain ingredients not be available.
• Our Head Chefs oversee the preparation and presentation of all dishes, ensuring high culinary standards and quality control, ensuring legal and company policies and procedures are met. Food costs must also be adhered to, to ensure budgets are maintained
• Maintaining a Safe and Clean Kitchen Environment. Our Head Chefs ensure that the kitchen is kept in a clean, tidy, and hygienic state in accordance with company and legal requirements

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Customer service

Time management

Excel

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 Catering & Hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role:

Days of Working: Variable shifts dependent upon business needs

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Creating and updating menus in accordance with seasonal and local ingredients, as well as being in line with clients’ requirements
• Be responsible to oversee the kitchen staff, providing guidance, comprehensive training, and resolving any interpersonal conflicts that might arise
• You will be required to manage the inventory by ensuring that the kitchen remains adequately stocked with fresh ingredients and culinary necessities. You must also change dishes should certain ingredients not be available
• Our Head Chefs oversee the preparation and presentation of all dishes, ensuring high culinary standards and quality control, ensuring legal and company policies and procedures are met. Food costs must also be adhered to, to ensure budgets are maintained
• Maintaining a Safe and Clean Kitchen Environment. Our Head Chefs ensure that the kitchen is kept in a clean, tidy, and hygienic state in accordance with company and legal requirements

What are we looking for?

• You should have proven and extensive experience in the production of food and service within contract catering as well as teams’ management
• Possess a Level 3 in Catering and Hospitality or equivalent, as well as Team Management experience within the Contract Catering sector
• Have proven leadership skills, with the ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a team of chefs
• Experienced in building relationships with clients and staff, ensuring that the client’s expectations are met every day
• Can work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing demands is crucial

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Must have the Right to Work in the UK
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to lead and manage teams effectively
• Understand financial management, budgeting, and cost control
• Excellent customer service skills are essential
• Can handle varied situations and find practical solutions
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Have good time-management and organisational abilities
• Competent with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.