Head Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Salford; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in Salford is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead kitchen operations at Chetham's School of Music. The role involves ensuring food quality, managing staff, and maintaining high standards in food hygiene. The ideal candidate will have experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Staff meals provided

Unlimited mental health support

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts and cashback schemes

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in high volume contract catering and client facing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing service times.
• Direct management experience with kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary activities across catering locations for quality.
• Manage service delivery to meet performance and financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and safety legislation.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Time management

Team player

Organizational skills

Education

NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate

Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

Head Chef - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!

Location: Chetham's school of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester, M3 1SB

Salary: £40000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days [6.30am - 2.30pm or/and 11am - 7pm (FLEXIBLE)]

Every 3rd weekend off, No late finishes

Staff workplace meals provided, Flexible working arrangements with Potential progression within Sodexo

Exceptional Sodexo benefits with Great discounts & Recognition and Potential progression within Sodexo

Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures?

As a Head Chef for Sodexo, you'll be responsible for the timely and efficient preparation of all core feeding, within all catering areas of Chetham’s school of music boarding school. Your leadership will inspire your team daily, creating a dynamic and productive work environment. Best of all? All bank Holidays off and public holidays off—including Christmas!

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What You’ll Do:

• Our ethos is “Fresh Food from Scratch” so it is imperative to prepare and present food to the notified standard, ensuring the standard of “fresh food from Scratch” is followed.

• Oversee and coordinate all core culinary activities across catering locations to ensure consistency and quality.

• Manage and control service delivery to meet specified performance, quality, and financial targets while maintaining high standards.

• Ensure value for money through effective supply chain management and purchasing practices.

• Build and nurture long-term client relationships to foster stability and growth.

• Recruit, induct and develop talented employees within the kitchen and, if necessary, firmly and fairly manage poor performance.

• Identify opportunities for organic growth and new business development within the catering operation.

• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, safety, and environmental legislation using Sodexo’s safety systems.

• Drive continuous improvement and innovation to meet the expectations of school and catering management.

• Provide strategic and technical support, offering professional advice to clients, colleagues, and the team.

• Plan, cost, and implement menus using the DRIVe planning tool, ensuring variety, seasonality, innovation, and financial robustness.

• Champion the Fresh Food Standards ensuring Chetham’s is the unrivalled site for schools to see and shows off the very best to prospect accounts and visitors alike

• Be an active (site based) member of the Chef Development team for Independents by Sodexo by contributing dishes and recipes, attending meetings, assisting with projects

• Engage with key client groups - “Walk the Floor” during service periods and engage and interact with clients, colleagues, and any visitors. Attend pupil food committee meetings each half term

• Represent Sodexo at industry events.

What You Bring:

Essential:

• Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy high volume contract catering, client facing environment

• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player

• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times

• Direct management experience of chefs / kitchen brigade

• Clear, strong and effective leadership style

• Strong ability to increase individuals’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training

• Excellent time management and organisational skills

• Ability to set and maintain standards

• NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent

• Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate

• Strong level of literacy and numeracy

Desirable

• Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
• PC literate
• Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment

• Competitive salary and benefits

• Full training and protective uniform provided

• No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!

• Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

• Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support

• Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits

• Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships

• Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and help us create a brighter future!

Note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.