Head Chef

Sodexo; Southampton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited mental health and wellbeing:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Virtual GP service

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Mercer Aspire Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Bike to Work Scheme

Job summary

Sodexo at Solent University in Southampton is seeking a Head Chef to lead a diverse campus catering operation. You will oversee food production, menu development, kitchen operations, and hospitality services, driving quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

With 40 hours per week (Mon-Fri with occasional evenings and weekends), you’ll shape menus, manage costs, and mentor a high-performing team while delivering innovative, sustainable dining experiences on campus.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in culinary leadership, menu planning, and food safety.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to develop a high-performing team.
• Qualified professional chef with food hygiene certification 706/2 or equivalent.
• Experience managing stock, costs, and campus catering operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food production, menu development, and kitchen operations.
• Lead hospitality services, ensuring top-quality dining experiences.
• Drive sales, manage costs, and deliver innovative, sustainable campus catering.
• Develop and mentor a diverse catering team across operations.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Stock management

Team development

Communication

Leadership

Chef qualifications

Food hygiene certification 706/2

Job description

Join Our Team as a Head Chef - Make an Impact Every Day

Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 OYN

£36,000pa - £38,000pa + excellent benefits
Monday to Friday 40hrs pw occasional evening and weekends
7am - 3.30pm
40 hrs pw

Parking on site

At Sodexo, we believe in delivering outstanding service, fostering meaningful experiences, and empowering our teams to thrive.We're on the lookout for a passionate and motivatedHead Chef to become an integral part of our dynamic team. If you're ready to drive excellence and innovation withinuniversity catering operations and team leadership, this is the opportunity for you!

About the Role

Are you a passionate and innovative Head Chef ready to make your mark in a dynamic university environment? We're looking for a talented culinary leader to inspire and develop a high-performing team, deliver exceptional dining experiences, and shape the future of food across campus. This is an exciting opportunity to combine creativity with commercial expertise while leading a diverse catering operation that includes student dining, retail food outlets, hospitality events, summer schools, and digital food delivery services.

As Head Chef, you'll oversee food production, menu development, kitchen operations, and hospitality services, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and service. Working closely with colleagues across the business, you'll play a key role in driving sales growth, enhancing customer satisfaction, managing costs effectively, and delivering a fresh, innovative food offer that meets the needs of the university community.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in culinary leadership, menu planning, food safety, stock management, and team development.
• A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to inspire those around you.
• Relevant professional chef qualifications and food hygiene certification 706/2 or equivalent

What We Offer

At Sodexo, this is more than just a job-it's your chance to be part of something greater.We celebrate individuality, encourage purpose-driven work, and empower you to succeed on your own terms. Here's what you can expect when you join us:

• A competitive salary & excellent benefits package.

• Opportunities for career growth and development.

• A diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace.

• A chance to make a tangible impact on the quality of the campus dining experience, commercial performance, and the delivery of innovative, sustainable catering services.

Additional Perks & Benefits

• Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform.

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

• 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.

• Exclusive discounts for you, your family, and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme.

• Membership in the Mercer Aspire Pension Plan to help you save for your future.

• Learning and development opportunities to enhance your career growth.

• A Bike to Work Scheme, supporting both your fitness and the environment.

Friendly customers. Vibrant communities. Exciting careers.

Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.