Head Chef

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

Job summary

Cheatham's School of Music in Manchester is seeking a Head Chef to lead a fast-paced, high-volume contract catering operation for up to 400 meals across multiple service areas.

You will drive menu planning, food quality, safety, cost control and event support, while coordinating daily service and developing the kitchen team to perform at their best.

Sodexo offers a supportive environment with opportunities for career progression.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy high-volume contract catering.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proven ability to manage food safety and hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-volume kitchen operation.
• Oversee menu planning, cost control and procurement.
• Ensure food safety, quality and compliance across all service periods.
• Coordinate large-scale service and events for up to 400 people.
• Recruit, induct and develop kitchen staff; address performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovations in menus and service.
• Build strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Support and lead the Chef Development team for Independents by Sodexo.
• Attend client meetings and contribute to project planning and delivery.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations and Sodexo standards.

Skills

High-volume catering

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Food safety

Time management

Standards enforcement

Training & coaching

Problem solving

Literacy & numeracy

PC literate

Education

NVQ Level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Chetham's School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester

Chetham's School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester

Closing Date:

29/10/2026

Job Category:

Chefs

UK Schools

Job Introduction

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)

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, 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