Head Chef

Sodexo; Oldbury; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo Oldbury is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the catering operation at DPD Oldbury. You will manage the kitchen team, deliver high‑quality fresh food and ensure superb customer service across busy service periods.

This hands-on leadership role focuses on driving profitability, controlling costs, and maintaining food safety standards while inspiring your staff to innovate menus and improve the catering offer.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in high-volume catering.
• Strong leadership to motivate and develop a team.
• Experience managing food costs, stock, and budgets.
• Passion for fresh, high-quality food and service.
• Excellent knowledge of Food Safety and HACCP.
• Commercial awareness to maximise sales.
• Flexible hours to cover shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team to deliver outstanding food and service.
• Prepare and serve fresh, high-quality food with excellent presentation.
• Manage food costs, stock control and waste to hit targets.
• Drive sales through innovative menus and promotions.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety standards.
• Maintain high hygiene and audit standards.
• Deliver exceptional customer service during every service.
• Collaborate across DPD catering sites when required.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Food cost control

High-volume catering

Food safety HACCP

Customer service

Job description

Job Title: Head Chef
Location: Oldbury
Contract: Permanent, 40 hours per week
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30am - 3:00pm
Rate of Pay: £17.00 per hour

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our catering operation at DPD Oldbury.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Sodexo, delivering outstanding food and service within a busy workplace restaurant.

As Head Chef, you'll be responsible for leading the kitchen team, producing high-quality fresh food, driving sales and profitability, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety, compliance and customer service. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you'll inspire your team, introduce new ideas and continuously improve the catering offer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team to deliver outstanding food and service.
• Prepare and serve fresh, high-quality food while maintaining excellent presentation standards.
• Manage food costs, stock control and waste to achieve financial targets.
• Drive sales through creative menus, seasonal offers and promotions.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety and company standards.
• Monitor kitchen performance, maintain high hygiene standards and achieve audit compliance.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience during every service.
• Support continuous improvement and work collaboratively across DPD catering sites when required.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef or Senior Sous Chef within high-volume catering.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Experience managing food costs, stock control and kitchen budgets.
• A passion for delivering fresh, high-quality food and outstanding customer service.
• Excellent knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety legislation.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to maximise sales and profitability.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including shifts to support different services.

What We Offer

Working with Sodexo is more than a job it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. We are a global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, operating in 55 countries and serving over 100 million consumers each day. We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.