Head Chef

Sodexo; Royston; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is hiring a Head Chef to lead the catering operation at the Johnson Matthey site in Royston. The role focuses on day-to-day kitchen leadership, high standards of food & service, and client-facing collaboration.

You will work closely with the Catering Manager on menu development, events, and new ideas to keep the offering fresh and engaging.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen in high-volume catering.
• Strong ability to plan menus and develop offerings.
• Excellent knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP and related legislation.

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 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 audit readiness.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience during every service.
• Collaborate with other sites for best practices and improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

HACCP

Stock control

Budgeting

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.
• 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.