Head Chef

Sodexo Group; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

All meals and accommodation provided

Free on-site gym

Laundry service available

Structured 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off

Wellbeing support and pensions

Job summary

Sodexo Energy & Resources Management Team seeks a Head Chef in Fort Augustus, Scotland. You will lead kitchen operations in a remote Highland village, delivering high-quality meals, managing menus, and fostering a supportive resident experience during 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off rotations.

You will drive food concepts, ensure safety and hygiene, collaborate with the team, and provide exceptional service as part of Sodexo’s Remote Living proposition.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience essential for managing kitchen teams.
• Strong organisational and safety-focused approach is required.
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement in a remote village setting.

Responsibilities

• Comply with Health & Safety legislation and food safety standards.
• Prepare and cook food to agreed standards with proper portioning and hygiene.
• Maintain cleanliness, hygiene, and temperature control records.
• Follow menu plans and ensure timely meal service.
• Manage stock, ordering, waste control, and food costs.
• Ensure all equipment is safely used and maintained.
• Supervise staff to meet hygiene and safety standards.
• Report incidents and take corrective actions.
• Attend training and support safety initiatives.
• Carry out additional duties as required.
• Promote a strong safety culture and lead by example.
• Support training, meetings, and emergency procedures.
• Lead and deliver safe, efficient services and identify improvement opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Safety compliance

Education

IOSH Managing Safely

Food Hygiene Certificate

Catering qualification (NVQ Level 2, City & Guilds)

Job description

Head Chef

Fort Augustus, Scotland

Pay: £18.66 per hour (Travel allowance provided)
Hours: 73.5 hours per week – 10.5hrs per day
Rotation: 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off

Please note: This role is subject to a DBS check, which will be arranged by the company.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands, this is a unique opportunity to work in a truly stunning and remote location. Situated at the southwestern tip of Loch Ness in the Great Glen, it is a key village known for its canal locks and scenic Highland setting between Inverness and Fort William.

Role Overview

As a Head Chef within the Sodexo Energy & Resources Management Team, you will lead kitchen operations and manage catering services, ensuring delivery in line with contract requirements, maintaining exceptional food quality, and fostering a successful and sustainable client relationship.

At the core of the role is a strong commitment to delivering an outstanding resident experience. Through your leadership, you will create a safe, welcoming, and engaging dining environment that supports residents’ wellbeing, rest, and recovery, recognising the important role food plays in daily life within a remote village setting. By building positive relationships and maintaining a visible, approachable presence, you will help shape a catering offer that feels personal, inclusive, and genuinely valued by residents.

You will take ownership of the overall dining experience, developing menus and food concepts that bring variety, quality, and enjoyment, from seasonally inspired dishes to themed dining events and special occasions. With a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, you will ensure food services remain a key highlight of the village experience, supporting both satisfaction and community engagement.

By actively listening to resident feedback, whether through informal conversations or structured forums, you will adapt and evolve the food offering to meet changing needs and preferences, ensuring residents feel heard and valued. Working collaboratively with the wider team, you will contribute to village-wide initiatives and wellbeing activities, acting as a proud ambassador for Sodexo’s Remote Living proposition and helping to create a true “home‑from‑home” environment

What you’ll do:

• Comply with all Health & Safety legislation, food safety standards, and company procedures.
• Prepare and cook food to agreed standards, ensuring quality, hygiene, and correct portioning.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene, and temperature control records.
• Follow menu plans and ensure timely meal service to company and client requirements.
• Manage stock, ordering, waste control, and food costs efficiently.
• Ensure all equipment is used safely and maintained, reporting any faults.
• Supervise staff to ensure hygiene, safety, and performance standards are met.
• Report incidents and take appropriate corrective action.
• Attend training, support safety initiatives, and take responsibility for personal development.
• Carry out additional duties as required.
• Promote a strong safety culture and lead by example.
• Ensure team compliance with all health, safety, and environmental procedures.
• Support training, meetings, and emergency procedures.
• Ensure quality control and compliance with operational standards.
• Lead and support the team to deliver safe, efficient services.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement and project delivery.

What you’ll bring:

• IOSH Managing Safely (or willing to obtain within 12 months)
• Food Hygiene Certificate (RIPHH, REHIS, or CIEH)
• Catering qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 2, City & Guilds) or relevant experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience at Head Chef or similar level
• A hands‑on leadership role requiring strong organisational skills, high standards, and a commitment to safety and quality.

What We Offer

• Good rate of pay

• All meals and accommodation provided during your working rotation

• Free on‑site facilities, including a fully equipped 24/7 gym

• Laundry service available

• Structured rotation – work for 3 weeks, then enjoy 3 weeks off

Why Sodexo?

• Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme

• 24/7 virtual GP and retail discounts

• Pension and development opportunities

• Inclusive and supportive workplace

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater

We are a Disability Confident Leader employer, committed to supporting disabled candidates and creating an inclusive workplace.

Join a team that values you for being you.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of application