Head Chef

Barnsley Football Club; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Town Football Club is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the Club’s catering across football operations and events. You will deliver nutritious, varied food for the First Team, Academy and hospitality on matchdays, while partnering with nutrition and performance teams to meet demanding dietary needs.

The role combines hands‑on culinary excellence with budget control, food safety and staff leadership, in a fast‑paced sports environment with early starts and weekend work.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior kitchen leader.
• Experience with budgets and food safety records.
• Ability to lead a team across departments and levels
• Experience in elite sport or high‑performance environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all food provision at the training ground for First Team, Academy and staff.
• Develop varied, balanced menus with performance‑focused nutrition where needed.
• Lead hospitality catering on matchdays, up to 300 covers per match.
• Cater for events and Club functions with adaptable provisions.
• Adapt menus to reflect seasonal ingredients and dietary needs.
• Lead food safety, hygiene and allergen management with proper records.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Budget management

Menu development

Food safety

Nutrition awareness

Staff training

Communication

Culinary excellence

Education

Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Department: Operations
Reports to: Operations
Location: Swindon Town FC
Contract: Full-time

The Role

Swindon Town Football Club is seeking an experienced, passionate and highly organised Head Chef to lead the Club’s catering and food provision across all areas of the football operation.

This is a full-time role with responsibility for delivering high-quality, nutritious and varied food for the First Team and Academy at the training ground, alongside hospitality catering on matchdays and food provision for Club events.

Working closely with the Club’s Performance Nutritionist, Performance Team and wider departments, the successful candidate will ensure that all food provision meets the needs of professional footballers, staff, guests and supporters. The role requires a hands‑on leader who can combine excellent culinary standards with strong organisation, budget management and a commitment to food safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all food provision at the training ground for the First Team, Academy and relevant Club staff.
• Work closely with the Club’s Performance Nutritionist and Performance Team to develop varied, balanced and performance-focused menus that support training, recovery and match preparation.
• Lead the delivery of hospitality catering on matchdays, ensuring an excellent standard of food quality, presentation and service, this will be up to 300 covers per match day.
• Cater for Club events and other functions, adapting provision to meet the requirements of each occasion.
• Adapt menus to reflect seasonal ingredients, changing schedules and the evolving dietary and performance needs of players and teams.
• Lead on food safety, hygiene and allergen management, ensuring all relevant records, processes and management systems are maintained to the required standards.
• Source high-quality, fresh and sustainable ingredients, managing budgets responsibly and minimising food waste.
• Maintain consistently high standards of kitchen cleanliness, organisation, food preparation and presentation.
• Ensure food provision is delivered efficiently and reliably around the demands of the football calendar.

About The Candidate

About you

• Lead, develop and motivate the kitchen team, creating a positive, professional and high-performing working environment.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, including staff rotas, training, performance management and recruitment where required.
• Set clear standards and expectations, ensuring consistently high levels of professionalism, food quality and service.
• Manage food purchasing, stock control and kitchen budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and value for money is achieved.
• Work collaboratively with Football, Performance, Medical, Finance and other relevant departments to ensure catering provision supports the wider needs of the Club.
• Attend relevant meetings and contribute to the planning and implementation of performance nutrition, hospitality and operational requirements.

Remain flexible and responsive to the demands of professional football, including early starts, matchdays, evenings and weekends as required.

Your Skills and Experience

• Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate.
• Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check, as required for the role.
• Significant experience working as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership position.
• A proven track record of leading a team, managing budgets and delivering consistently high standards.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing schedules and operational demands.
• Knowledge of specialist diets, including plant-based and gluten-free options, as well as cultural and religious dietary requirements.
• An understanding of balanced nutrition and the importance of food in supporting athlete performance, training and recovery.
• Confidence managing kitchen operations independently in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across different departments.
• A proactive approach to food safety, allergen management, stock control and minimising food waste.
• A flexible and hands‑on approach, with a commitment to delivering excellent food and service across all areas of the Club.
• Experience working in elite sport, professional football or another high‑performance environment.
• Experience catering for professional athletes and supporting performance nutrition requirements.
• Experience delivering matchday hospitality and catering for events.
• A genuine interest in professional football and elite athlete performance.

About The Club

Safeguarding

Swindon Town Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

For positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with the Club’s safer recruitment procedures and relevant legislation.

The post holder will be required to undertake safeguarding training periodically and comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Swindon Town Football Club is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation, and where decisions are based solely on merit.

The Club does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio‑economic background or any other characteristic protected under the Equality Act 2010