Head Chef

Sodexo Group; Royston; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo Group in Royston seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead the catering operation at the Johnson Matthey site. The role requires day-to-day kitchen leadership, delivering high standards of food, service, safety and presentation, and working closely with the Catering Manager.

Working Monday to Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm (40 hours/week), you will have opportunities to contribute to menu development and events while managing costs and supervising a team.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior kitchen lead in high-volume catering.
• Strong leadership to motivate and develop a team.
• Experience managing food costs, stock control and budgets.
• Committed to high standards of food safety and HACCP compliance.
• Ability to develop menus and drive guest satisfaction.

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 meet targets.
• Drive sales through creative menus, seasonal offers and promotions.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety standards.
• Monitor hygiene and audit readiness to maintain quality.
• Deliver exceptional customer experience during every service.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership

Food cost control

Food safety HACCP

Menu development

Customer service

Flexible hours

Job description

Job Title: Head Chef
Location: Royston
Contract: Permanent, 40 hours per week
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Rate of Pay: £19.00 per hour

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our catering operation at the Johnson Matthey site in Royston.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established chef with strong leadership skills who enjoys working in a busy, professional and client-facing environment. You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation, leading and developing the team while ensuring consistently high standards of food, service, safety and presentation.

Working closely with the Catering Manager, you'll also have the opportunity to contribute to menu development, special catering events and new ideas that keep our food offer fresh and engaging.

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.

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.