Head Chef

Sodexo; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company seeks an experienced Head Chef to oversee culinary operations at a renowned football club. Responsibilities include leading kitchen teams, innovating diverse menus, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong culinary leadership background, creativity in menu development, and excellent management skills. This role offers competitive compensation and benefits, including a dynamic work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing app

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Retirement Plan membership

Death-in-Service benefit

Learning and development tools

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Competitive compensation

Full protective uniform supplied

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a high-volume culinary leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Creative flair for menu development and food presentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations for match and non-match days.
• Innovate menus for diverse client needs and events.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety and hygiene standards.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food safety compliance

Menu development

Team management

Cost control

Education

CIEH Level 3 in Food Safety

IOSH Managing Safely qualification

Job description

Head Chef

• Newcastle United Football Club, St James Park NE1 4ST
• £41,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits
• 40hrs pw 5/7 with flexibility as business demands
• excellent family work life balance, mostly day work

Job Introduction

At Sodexo, we deliver exceptional culinary experiences in dynamic environments - and few venues are as exciting as Newcastle United Football Club. We’re looking for an experienced and innovative Head Chef to lead our culinary operation across NUFC projects, supporting everything from high‑end matchday service to unique hospitality experiences and large‑scale events.

What You’ll Do

• Lead kitchen operations, managing food production, service, and culinary teams on match days and non‑match days
• Create, innovate, and evolve menus and food offers tailored to diverse client needs and events
• Ensure full compliance with health & safety, allergen protocols, and hygiene standards across all kitchen areas
• Control budgets, monitor food and labour costs, and drive efficiency without compromising quality
• Train, mentor, and retain kitchen staff to build a skilled and motivated team
• Support client tastings, drive food concept development, and contribute to kitchen design for new projects
• Collaborate closely with front‑ and back‑of‑house teams to ensure seamless service delivery

What You Bring

• Proven experience in a high‑volume culinary leadership role
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and allergen compliance
• Creative flair for menu development and food presentation
• Excellent team leadership and people management skills
• Experience working in fast‑paced, client‑focused environments
• Sound understanding of cost control and budget management
• CIEH Level 3 in Food Safety
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to lead and train a kitchen team to high standards
• A proactive and adaptable approach to kitchen operations and service delivery

What We Offer

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and other services
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death‑in‑Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome a diverse range of applicants.

Keywords: Sodexo, Head Chef, Culinary Leadership, Menu Development, High‑Volume Catering, Food Safety Compliance, Team Management, Cost Control, Allergen Management, Event Catering, Hospitality Innovation