Head Chef

Career Teachers; Leeds; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive weekly pay

Term-time role

Job summary

Career Teachers is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the catering operation within a thriving secondary school in Leeds. You will oversee daily kitchen activities and motivate a catering team to deliver nutritious meals for students and staff.

The ideal candidate brings leadership, strong food hygiene knowledge, and a passion for healthy school meals. This full-time, term-time plus additional days role offers competitive pay and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen and catering team.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, allergen management and health and safety.
• Experience managing budgets, ordering and stock control.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the school kitchen and catering team.
• Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals in line with school standards.
• Manage stock control, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Monitor food costs and work within budget requirements.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in compliance with food hygiene and safety regulations.
• Develop menus varied for secondary-aged students.
• Train, support and supervise catering staff.
• Maintain records for food safety, cleaning schedules and temps.
• Drive continuous improvement in the catering service and student dining experience.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food hygiene knowledge

Communication skills

Budgeting

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Food Safety and HACCP knowledge

Right to work in the UK

Job description

Head Chef – Secondary School

Leeds, West Yorkshire
Full-Time | Term Time Plus Additional Days
Salary: Competitive, Dependent on Experience

Lead a Kitchen That Makes a Difference

Career Teachers is seeking an experienced, passionate and organised Head Chef to lead the catering operation within a thriving secondary school in Leeds.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled catering professional who takes pride in delivering high-quality, nutritious meals to young people while maintaining exceptional standards of food safety, compliance and customer service.

The successful candidate will oversee the daily running of the school kitchen, lead and motivate a catering team, manage food preparation and service, and ensure students and staff enjoy healthy, appealing meals in a welcoming environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the school kitchen and catering team
• Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals in line with school food standards
• Manage stock control, ordering and supplier relationships
• Monitor food costs and work within budget requirements
• Ensure the kitchen operates in compliance with all food hygiene, allergen and health and safety regulations
• Develop menus that are varied, balanced and appealing to secondary-aged students
• Train, support and supervise catering staff
• Maintain accurate records relating to food safety, cleaning schedules and temperature checks
• Drive continuous improvement in the catering service and student dining experience

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

Previous experience in a Head Chef, Chef Manager or Senior Chef position.

Experience managing a busy kitchen and leading a team.

Strong knowledge of food hygiene, allergen management and health and safety requirements.

Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Experience managing budgets, ordering and stock control.

A passion for providing healthy, nutritious meals for young people.

The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards.

Essential Qualifications

• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Food Safety and HACCP knowledge
• Experience of supervising or managing kitchen staff
• Right to work in the UK

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within a school, college, university or large-scale catering environment
• Experience catering for high-volume service
• Knowledge of School Food Standards
• Relevant catering qualification such as NVQ Level 2 or 3 Professional Cookery

What the school can offer

• A stable, term-time focused role with an excellent work-life balance
• School holidays off (subject to contract requirements)
• A supportive and welcoming school community
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• The chance to positively impact the wellbeing of hundreds of young people every day

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and pre-employment vetting.

Our benefits

• ARefer a Friend Schemegiving you a bonus of up to £250
• Exclusive vacancies within local Schools and Multi Academy Trusts
• Competitive weekly pay
• Assignments paid to a scale after 12 weeks (AWR)
• Online time sheets
• Your own dedicated consultant
• Guaranteed pay schemes

All roles will require an enhanced criminal record disclosure (DBS), although we can help with this process a new application is required if your current DBS is not on the update service, and reference checks.

Career Teachers are committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates and welcomes applications regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, religion and belief pregnancy and maternity or disability as well as adhering to strict Safeguarding procedures.

This vacancy is based in the United Kingdom. Career Teachers operate in the UK and can only process applications from candidates who are currently UK residents and eligible to work in the UK. Whilst we will endeavour to contact you following your response, due to the high volume of applications we regret that this cannot always be possible. If you have not had notification from us within 30 days please take your application as not being successful this time but we will keep your details on file for future opportunities.