Head Chef

WSH Group; Prestwick; On-site; GBP 25,500 - 34,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Company pension

Training and development opportunities

Perkbox discounts

Weekday shifts

Job summary

BaxterStorey is seeking a Head Chef to lead our on‑site catering team at a manufacturing location in the UK. The role offers great work‑life balance, career development, and the opportunity to deliver high‑quality meals to a diverse workforce.

You will oversee a high‑volume kitchen, manage budgets, stock, and suppliers, ensure HACCP and food safety compliance, and lead a talented kitchen team across multiple shifts, with Monday–Friday operations.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent is required.
• Food Safety Level 3 certificate or willingness to obtain.
• HACCP knowledge and experience in food safety management.
• Health & Safety qualification or awareness within catering.
• COSHH knowledge and experience.
• First Aid qualification desirable.
• Experience in high‑volume contract catering, workplace dining, or manufacturing.
• Proven experience managing kitchen teams, budgets, stock and purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service.
• Plan and prepare varied, nutritious menus.
• Manage food purchasing, stock control, and kitchen budgets.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards.
• Maintain high levels of food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction.
• Support catering requirements across day, backshift, and nightshift.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation within the service.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Food safety

HACCP

Budget management

Stock control

Shift management

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery

Food Safety Level 3

Health & Safety qualification

COSHH knowledge

First Aid qualification

Job description

BaxterStorey is an award‑winning independent hospitality provider, delivering exceptional food, beverage, and workplace dining experiences across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Since 2004, we have been redefining workplace hospitality through fresh food, innovative menus, and outstanding customer service. We believe in creating unique experiences tailored to each client, while fostering a culture that empowers our people to develop, grow, and thrive. With a passion for quality, sustainability, and creativity, BaxterStorey is committed to making a positive difference for our clients, customers, colleagues, and communities.

Why Join BaxterStorey?

At BaxterStorey, we believe that a happy team delivers the best hospitality experience. That's why we invest in our people through bespoke training, career development opportunities, and a supportive working environment where individuality is celebrated. Whether you're looking to grow your culinary career or lead a successful kitchen operation, you'll be part of a team that is passionate about food, people, and excellence.

Head Chef

Location: Manufacturing Site

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Are you a passionate and experienced Chef looking for a role that offers great work‑life balance, career development, and the opportunity to lead a busy catering operation?

We are looking for a talented Head Chef to lead our on‑site catering team at a thriving manufacturing location. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a high‑volume kitchen operation, delivering fresh, nutritious, and high‑quality meals to a diverse workforce across multiple shifts.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and inspiring the kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service.
• Planning and preparing varied, nutritious, and appealing menus.
• Managing food purchasing, stock control, and kitchen budgets.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards.
• Maintaining high levels of food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction.
• Supporting catering requirements for day, backshift, and nightshift operations.
• Driving continuous improvement and innovation within the catering service.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high‑volume catering environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and HACCP procedures.
• Experience managing budgets, stock, and food costs.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• A passion for delivering outstanding food and customer service.

What's in It for You

• £30,000 per annum
• 28 days holiday
• Company pension scheme
• Bespoke training and development opportunities
• Access to the Perkbox benefits app, offering discounts on high street retailers, holidays and travel, cinema tickets, restaurants and more
• Monday to Friday operation providing excellent work‑life balance, with support for both backshift and nightshift catering operations.

Desired Qualifications & Certifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery, City & Guilds, or equivalent culinary qualification.
• Food Safety Level 3 Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• HACCP knowledge and experience in implementing food safety management systems.
• Health & Safety qualification or awareness within a catering environment.
• COSHH knowledge and experience.
• First Aid qualification (desirable but not essential).
• Experience in high‑volume contract catering, workplace dining, manufacturing, or industrial catering environments.
• Proven experience managing kitchen teams, budgets, stock control, and food purchasing.
• Strong understanding of allergen management and nutritional requirements.
• Advanced Food Hygiene qualification (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about fresh food and exceptional customer service.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent organisational and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Innovative and creative approach to menu development.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and compliance.

At BaxterStorey, we look for more than just culinary expertise. We're passionate about finding individuals who bring creativity, personality, and passion to everything they do. The ideal candidate will thrive in a people‑focused environment, embrace innovation, and take pride in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. A commitment to sustainability, fresh food, and continuous improvement is highly valued, along with the ability to inspire teams and create memorable dining experiences that reflect the individuality of our clients and customers.

If you're ambitious and ready to take the next step in your culinary career, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver exceptional food and service to our manufacturing workforce.