Head Chef

Sodexo Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic work environment

Competitive salary

Full training

Mental health support

EAP access

Cycle to Work

Career progression

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Sodexo invites a Head Chef to lead a busy, high-volume catering operation at Cheetham's School of Music, Manchester. You will oversee multiple service areas, plan menus, control costs and ensure top-quality meals for up to 400 people daily.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication and a proactive approach to developing staff, relationships with clients, and delivering exceptional food and service standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy high-volume contract catering.
• Proven leadership of a kitchen brigade.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage service periods and large events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee core culinary activities across locations for consistency and quality.
• Manage service delivery to meet performance and financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, safety and environmental legislation.
• Plan, cost and implement menus using standard tools.
• Lead, train and develop kitchen staff and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

High-volume catering

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Flexibility

Food safety

Education

NVQ Level 2 Food Production

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Manchester

PositionHead Chef
Location Cheetham's school of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester,M3 1SB
Location £40,000 per Annum
Hours 40 hours per week

Working Pattern 5 out of 7 days [6.30am - 2.30pm or/and 11am - 7pm (Flexible)

Every 3rd weekend off, All bank Holidays off and All public holidays off

Flexible working arrangements with No late finishes

Staff workplace meals provided

Are you ready to take the lead in a fast-paced kitchen where high-quality food delivery meets large-scale event catering?

As Head Chef with Sodexo, you will oversee a dynamic, high-volume catering operation at Cheetham's School of Music,M3 1SB, preparing and delivering meals for up to 400 people across multiple service areas. This role goes beyond day-to-day cooking, you’ll play a key part in coordinating large-scale service, supporting events, and ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality at every sitting.

Your leadership will be central to maintaining smooth operations in a busy environment, inspiring your team to perform at their best while delivering exceptional food and service standards.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What You’ll Do:

• Our ethos is "Fresh Food from Scratch" so it is imperative to prepare and present food to the notified standard, ensuring the standard of "Fresh Food from Scratch" is followed.
• Oversee and coordinate all core culinary activities across catering locations to ensure consistency and quality.
• Manage and control service delivery to meet specified performance, quality, and financial targets while maintaining high standards.
• Ensure value for money through effective supply chain management and purchasing practices.
• Build and nurture long-term client relationships to foster stability and growth.
• Recruit, induct and develop talented employees within the kitchen and, if necessary, firmly and fairly manage poor performance.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth and new business development within the catering operation.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, safety, and environmental legislation using Sodexo's safety systems.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation to meet the expectations of school and catering management.
• Provide strategic and technical support, offering professional advice to clients, colleagues, and the team.
• Plan, cost, and implement menus using the DRIVE planning tool, ensuring variety, seasonality, innovation, and financial robustness.
• Champion the Fresh Food Standards ensuring Cheetham's is the unrivalled site for schools to see and shows off the very best to prospect accounts and visitors alike
• Be an active (site based) member of the Chef Development team for Independents by Sodexo by contributing dishes and recipes, attending meetings, assisting with projects
• Engage with key client groups - "Walk the Floor" during service periods and engage and interact with clients, colleagues, and any visitors. Attend pupil food committee meetings each half term
• Represent Sodexo at industry events.

What You Bring:

• Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy high volume contract catering, client facing environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player
• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
• Direct management experience of chefs / kitchen brigade
• Clear, strong and effective leadership style
• Strong ability to increase individuals’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to set and maintain standards
• NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent
• Strong level of literacy and numeracy
• Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
• PC literate
• Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification

What We Offer

• A dynamic and supportive work environment
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Full training and protective uniform provided
• Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support
• Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits
• Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships
• Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Note:

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.