Head Chef

The University of Northampton; Northampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Northampton is seeking a highly motivated Head Chef to join our Catering Team at Waterside Campus. You will support the Catering & Commercial Manager across multiple outlets, with responsibilities spanning menu development, staff leadership, and cost control.

The role predominantly runs Monday to Friday with some weekends and events; shifts vary from early morning to late evening. A strong focus on food safety, customer service, and regulatory compliance is essential.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional cookery / catering qualification, or equivalent practical knowledge and experience.
• Proven experience leading a kitchen team in a catering/food service environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety and HACCP principles.
• Ability to manage budgets and monitor food costs.
• Experience planning menus for daily catering and events.
• Excellent attention to detail and communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver menus and food production for daily catering and hospitality events, ensuring quality, consistency, presentation and timely service.
• Lead kitchen operations, allocate work and supervise the team to ensure service requirements are met safely and efficiently.
• Develop menus and recipes that meet customer needs, dietary requirements and allergen controls, taking account of seasonality, nutrition, value and sustainability.
• Maintain robust food safety, hygiene, allergen, health and safety and cleaning standards; complete and review records, risk assessments and temperature checks as required.
• Manage stock, ordering, deliveries, storage, rotation, waste and portion control; monitor food costs and contribute to budget targets.
• Implement appropriate kitchen procedures to avoid waste.
• To maintain all written records for the purposes of regulatory and legislative observance and to assist the Catering and Commercial Manager in external and internal assessments and checks.
• To train as and when necessary staff in food preparation and service.
• To ensure that all operations are following the UON food policy.
• To supervise all kitchen equipment and dangerous machinery and to notify UON maintenance team or the relevant responsible team when maintenance is required.
• To cultivate business by being aware of the needs and desires of the customer base for the catering outlets.
• Safely handle and operate kitchen knives and other sharp tools in accordance with training and safety protocols.
• Use all equipment as instructed and adhere to all relevant health and safety procedures, including PPE use.
• Maintain knives in good working condition and report any defects or hazards immediately.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Allergen controls

Budget awareness

Staff training

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Catering qualification

Job description

About the job

Interview Date: 13th January 2027

We are looking for a highly motivated and dedicated Head Chef to join our Catering Team at the University of Northampton.

The Head Chef will be responsible for supporting the Catering & Commercial Manager, working within a multiple of outlets on our fantastic Waterside Campus.

This job role would predominantly be Monday to Friday, but will include occasional weekends, bank holidays & events, with shifts varying from 7am to 10pm.

Our customers and students are at the heart of everything we do. You will need to ensure that this is paramount to everything you do.

Key Responsibilities include,

• Plan and deliver menus and food production for daily catering and hospitality events, ensuring quality, consistency, presentation and timely service.

• Lead kitchen operations, allocate work and supervise the team to ensure service requirements are met safely and efficiently.

• Develop menus and recipes that meet customer needs, dietary requirements and allergen controls, taking account of seasonality, nutrition, value and sustainability.

• Maintain robust food safety, hygiene, allergen, health and safety and cleaning standards; complete and review records, risk assessments and temperature checks as required.

• Manage stock, ordering, deliveries, storage, rotation, waste and portion control; monitor food costs and contribute to budget targets.

• Implement appropriate kitchen procedures to avoid waste.

• To maintain all written records for the purposes of regulatory and legislative observance and to assist the Catering and Commercial Manager in external and internal assessments and checks.

• To train as and when necessary staff in food preparation and service.

• To ensure that all operations are following the UON food policy.

• To supervise all kitchen equipment and dangerous machinery and to notify UON maintenance team or the relevant responsible team when maintenance is required.

• To cultivate business by being aware of the needs and desires of the customer base for the catering outlets.

• Safely handle and operate kitchen knives and other sharp tools in accordance with training and safety protocols.

• Use all equipment as instructed and adhere to all relevant health and safety procedures, including PPE use.

• Maintain knives in good working condition and report any defects or hazards immediately.

About you

• Kitchen experience in a leadership role

• Ability to produce good quality food

• Understanding of health and safety

• Understanding of food hygiene practices

• Good oral communication

• High level of attention to detail

• Good level of numeracy to develop your own skills and knowledge

• Adaptability to change and willingness to embrace new ideas and processes

• Ability to work unsupervised and deliver quality work

• Positive and approachable manner

• Team player qualities

Qualifications

Essential;

• Relevant professional cookery / catering qualification, or equivalent practical knowledge and experience

Department

The Postholder will be a key member of the Estates & Campus Services Department which comprises of the following areas;

• Campus Services (1st Degree Services)
• Timetabling & Space Management
• Projects
• Buildings Services (1st Degree Services)
• Catering (1st Degree Services)
• Commercial
• Residential Services
• Security & Community Safety (1st Degree Services)
• Environment & Sustainability
• Property Management

1st Degree Services are a part of University of Northampton Enterprises Ltd (UNEL) a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Northampton.

About Us

1st Degree Facilities is a trading name of UNEL which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Northampton and this vacancy is covered by UNEL Terms and Conditions of employment.

Our People

Our staff are our greatest asset. We are dedicated to building an inclusive community that values diversity, promotes wellbeing, and supports personal and professional growth. By developing a first-rate People Strategy, we aim to attract and retain top talent, enhance career progression, and ensure that every colleague feels empowered to achieve their best.

Our Values

• Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to excel.
• Sustainability: We are committed to becoming a net zero carbon institution, taking collective action for the benefit of society and the environment.
• Aspiration: We strive for excellence in all we do, empowering our staff, students, and partners to reach their highest potential.
• Trust: We build relationships based on respect, transparency, and shared goals.

Together, we are creating a future where our community, our work, and our impact truly make a difference.

Right to Work

Due to the requirements laid out by UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK, the University can only accept applications from individuals who currently have a status allowing them to work in the UK for this position. Due to this criteria, we regret that we are unable to offer sponsorship at this time.

Equality

We welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical, and sustainable environment that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment ensures an inclusive atmosphere for staff, students, and the public. We manage equality and diversity through key committees and formal policies, extending our responsibility to subsidiary companies and partnerships.

Together @ UON

Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

Together @ UON affirms our dedication to creating an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. We aim to foster a space where all can thrive, aligning with our mission to transform lives and inspire change.

Commitments Include:

1. Creating an Inclusive Environment: Adopting a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and ensuring all activities are inclusive.
2. Supporting Students and Staff: Strengthening mental health support, enhancing disability confidence, and ensuring academic and professional support.
3. Tackling Inequalities: Involving students in recruitment, integrating forums for equality data analysis, and supporting networks for protected characteristics.

UON’s Major Commitments:

• Disability Confident
• Standalone Pledge
• IHRA Working Definition

For more details, visit: Equality and Diversity at UON