Head Chef

ISS; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

ISS is hiring an experienced Head Chef to lead a busy catering operation at the Home Office College of Policing in Coventry. You will own menu development, ensure exceptional food quality and client satisfaction, and manage a dedicated kitchen team while controlling costs and maintaining high standards.

This permanent, 40-hour week role offers weekday daytime hours, excellent work-life balance, and the opportunity to drive culinary innovation within a government environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or similar catering leadership role.
• High-volume hospitality or events experience.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to high engagement and performance.
• Plan menus, manage food ordering and oversee production.
• Deliver meals to the highest quality and service standards.
• Control food costs, waste and kitchen budgets.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and policies.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, training and development of staff.
• Drive innovation and improve the catering offer.
• Maintain all kitchen and service areas to excellent standards.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Catering management

Food safety knowledge

Staff management

Menu development

Budget & cost control

Communication

Independent ownership

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Head Chef Contract: Government Location: Coventry, CV8 3EN Hours of work: 40 Contract Type: Permanent

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Head Chef to join our team at the Home Office College of Policing in Coventry. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a busy and varied catering operation, delivering high-quality food experiences for delegates, conferences, hospitality events and special functions. With no late nights and a Monday to Friday daytime schedule, this role offers an excellent work-life balance while still providing plenty of culinary creativity and variety.

As Head Chef, you'll work closely with the Catering Manager and wider leadership team to oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, compliance, customer satisfaction and financial performance. You'll lead a dedicated kitchen team and play a key role in developing menus, driving innovation and maintaining the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team, ensuring high levels of engagement and performance
• Plan menus, manage food ordering and oversee food production
• Deliver meals to the highest quality and service standards
• Control food costs, waste and kitchen budgets
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and company policies
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Support recruitment, training and development of kitchen staff
• Drive innovation and continuously improve the catering offer
• Ensure all kitchen and service areas are maintained to excellent standards

Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Head Chef or similar catering leadership role
• Strong experience within hospitality or high-volume food production
• Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and kitchen compliance
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification
• Experience managing teams and kitchen operations
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive and customer-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of the operation
• Experience within Business & Industry contract catering would be advantageous

The Company

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience. Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it's hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families.

ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people. We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference.

#Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger, #aplacetobeyou, #facilitiesmanagement

ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer. ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.

We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.

We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government's Disability Confident scheme. Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.