Head Chef

OCS; Winchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-Winning Employer

Digital Learning

Retail Perks

Professional Growth

Flexible Pay

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead contract catering operations, designing and updating menus that reflect seasonal, local produce and client requirements while maintaining high culinary standards.

You will supervise kitchen staff, provide training, control food costs, manage inventory, and ensure compliance with safety and hygiene regulations; you must build strong client relationships and deliver consistently excellent service in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven and extensive experience in food production and service within contract catering.
• Experience in leading and managing teams in a contract catering environment.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and staff motivation skills.
• Ability to build client and staff relationships and meet client expectations.

Responsibilities

• Creating and updating menus with seasonal, local produce and client requirements.
• Oversee kitchen staff, provide guidance, training, and resolve conflicts.
• Manage inventory and adjust dishes when ingredients are unavailable.
• Ensure high culinary standards, cost control, and adherence to budgets.
• Maintain safe, clean, and hygienic kitchen conditions in line with policies.

Education

Level 3 in Catering and Hospitality or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday 07:00 - 15:00

Key responsibilities

• Creating and updating menus in accordance with seasonal and local ingredients, as well as being in line with clients' requirements
• Be responsible to oversee the kitchen staff, providing guidance, comprehensive training, and resolving any interpersonal conflicts that might arise
• You will be required to manage the inventory by ensuring that the kitchen remains adequately stocked with fresh ingredients and culinary necessities. You must also change dishes should certain ingredients not be available
• Our Head Chefs oversee the preparation and presentation of all dishes, ensuring high culinary standards and quality control, ensuring legal and company policies and procedures are met. Food costs must also be adhered to, to ensure budgets are maintained
• Maintaining a Safe and Clean Kitchen Environment. Our Head Chefs ensure that the kitchen is kept in a clean, tidy, and hygienic state in accordance with company and legal requirements

What are we looking for?

• You should have proven and extensive experience in the production of food and service within contract catering as well as teams' management
• Possess a Level 3 in Catering and Hospitality or equivalent, as well as Team Management experience within the Contract Catering sector
• Have proven leadership skills, with the ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a team of chefs
• Experienced in building relationships with clients and staff, ensuring that the client's expectations are met every day
• Can work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing demands is crucial

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria

• Must have the Right to Work in the UK
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to lead and manage teams effectively
• Understand financial management, budgeting, and cost control
• Excellent customer service skills are essential
• Can handle varied situations and find practical solutions
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Have good time-management and organisational abilities
• Competent with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor's Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.